Premier League Weekend Fixtures Could Be Postponed In Honour of Queen Elizabeth II

Premier League fixtures this weekend are likely to be postponed in honour of Queen Elizabeth who died on Thursday, according to reports.

The Daily Mail reports that Premier League officials were locked in talks with the government on Thursday night to discuss whether this weekend’s football can go ahead with the nation in mourning following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The UK and Commonwealth on Thursday evening entered an extended period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Britain’s longest-serving monarch passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96 after reigning for 70 years.

Although, there is no official directive from the government to cancel sporting events, but it’s been reported that most fixtures and events will be postponed.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the English football leagues will now be discussing the plan moving forward on postponing fixtures.

The DP World Tour confirmed that the BMW PGA Championship would be stopped for the remainder of play on Thursday.

The statement read: “Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, play in the BMW PGA Championship has been suspended for the remainder of Thursday. All facilities in the Championship Village will close with immediate effect. Further updates and guidance will be provided shortly.”

The Premiership Rugby season was also scheduled to get underway this evening between Northampton Saints and Saracens.

But both teams released statements on social media confirming the game had been postponed in the wake of The Queen’s death.

Earlier on Thursday, Arsenal’s game against Zurich in the Europa League observed a minute silence at halftime for the monarch while Manchester United honoured the late monarch with a minute silence before their match kicked off against Real Sociedad.

In the same vein,  England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Friday’s play between England and South Africa in the third Test at the Oval would not take place as a mark of respect for the departed  Queen.

Thursday’s first day in London was washed out without a ball bowled. The three-match series is locked at 1-1.

“Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Friday’s play between England and South Africa Men at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the (women’s domestic) Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place,” said an ECB statement.

Play at the PGA Championship at Wentworth, near London, was suspended on Thursday evening when news broke about the death of the 96-year-old monarch and it was later confirmed that there would be no play on Friday.

“Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play has been suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for the remainder of Thursday and flags at Wentworth Club will be lowered to half-mast,” a European Tour statement said.

“Furthermore, no play will take place at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday and the golf course and practice facilities will be closed.”

Manchester United’s home clash in the Europa League against Real Sociedad went ahead but a minute’s silence was held before kick-off and players wore black armbands.

The English Football League announced the postponement of Friday’s two scheduled matches, adding “a determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance”.