MY ACCOUNT
No Premier League fixtures will take place this weekend following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
League officials met at 11am BST and the decision was made to postpone all 10 matches in the English top flight across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
An official statement said: “At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
“As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.
“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
In addition to the Premier League’s announcement, the English Football League confirmed a halt to matches this weekend.
Their statement said: “Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from September 9-10 will be postponed as a mark of respect by the national sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
“This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and FA will take with their competitions this weekend.
“Further information in respect of how football, clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point.
“Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course.”
All games in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and Women’s FA Cup have also been postponed.
FA chair Debbie Hewitt said: “This is a great example of football working in unity.
“We all absolutely 100 per cent agree this was the right thing to do to pay our respects.”
Shortly after football was paused in England, the game in Scotland followed suit.
A joint statement said: “The Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League and Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues have agreed that all professional football matches will be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect.
“This postponement will also incorporate the Women’s Scottish Cup fixtures this weekend.”
SFA president Rod Petrie added: “We spoke with our counterparts across the UK this morning and in discussions with our colleagues across the professional game in Scotland it was agreed this was the appropriate step to take following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Guidance from the UK government had initially suggested that individual sporting bodies would be left to make their own decisions over how to proceed in the wake of the news.
The guidance stated: “There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the national mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the state funeral.
“They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that Her Majesty had passed away peacefully at the age of 96, with members of the Royal Family travelling to Balmoral to be by her side.
