Premier League, other football matches postponed due to Queen's death

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Sep 2022 16:12

Not all matches are obliged to be postponed, according to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Matches in the Europa League and Conference League stood for a minute’s silence before kick-off on Thursday. (Reuters)

Premier League matches over the weekend will be postponed after the Queen of England passed away on Thursday, the league asserted, after holding a meeting today to announce the decision.

“To honour her extraordinary life and contributions to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s match,” the league said in a statement.

In addition, the English Football League also earlier postponed the Friday fixtures in the second division.

The Football Association also confirmed that all football matches across the Barclays Women's Super League, Barclays Women's Championship, the Vitality Women's FA Cup and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed.

The Irish Football Association has also canceled all matches in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has issued a statement announcing that sporting leagues are under no obligation to postpone the matches after the Queen's death.

“The decision as to whether sporting fixtures continue to go ahead is at the discretion of organisers. Organisers may wish to consider using black armbands and observing a silence before matches are played.”

“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral,” the official mourning guidance added.

Regardless, Manchester United and Arsenal have decided to go ahead with their Europa League matches, with their players wearing black armbands and standing for a minute of silence.