Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history passed away in Balmoral on Thursday at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace announced her death in a short statement, triggering 10 days of national mourning and an outpouring of tributes to her long life and record-breaking reign.
Queen Elizabeth II had attended several major global sporting events in her 50-plus years as Queen.
What happens to sporting events in the UK? Follow live updates below
The England Cricket Board announced that the England vs South Africa 3rd Test match and the England Women’s v India Women’s matches will go ahead as scheduled. The players will wear a black armband and observe a minute’s silence.
The English FA has confirmed that all football fixtures across the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will also be postponed this weekend.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES POSTPONED
The Premier League has announced that its weekend fixtures have been postponed to mark respect to the Queen’s passing. “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.
Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, said: “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.”
- Fulham vs Chelsea - September 10
- Bournemouth vs Brighton and Hove Albion - September 10
- Southampton vs Brentford - September 10
- Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - September 10
- Leicester City vs Aston Villa - September 10
- Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur - September 10
- Arsenal vs Everton - September 11
- West Ham United vs Newcastle United- September 11
- Crystal Palace vs Manchester United - September 11
- Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest- September 13
According to an official document from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: “There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venue sduring 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.”
Members of the New York Yankees stand during a moment of silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth II prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on Thursday in New York. | Photo Credit: Mike Stobe
In a statement released by the Cabinet Office under ‘Guidance for the Period of National Mourning’, a section says: “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.”
According to multiple reports, the Premier League, EFL and the FA will hold talks from 11:00 am BST to make the final call on the weekend’s fixtures.
The Irish Football Association (FA) has cancelled all fixtures scheduled for this weekend in Northern Ireland.
Throwback: This iconic moment from the 2012 London Olympics where the Queen came together with James Bond star Daniel Craig for one of the most epic opening ceremony moments in the event’s history
UEFA offers condolences to the Royal family
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most-respected figures.
“Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association, Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.”
Pele pays tribute to the Queen
Premier League matches are slated to take place on Saturday and Sunday, beginning with the West London derby between Fulham and Chelsea. However, multiple reports have indicated that the weekend’s fixtures could be officially postponed after a meeting between the PL and EFL officials on Friday morning.
The EFL has announced that it has postponed its Championship fixtures on Friday as a mark of respect to the Queen.
“EFL has confirmed that its fixtures scheduled for tomorrow evening (Friday 9 September) – Burnley v Norwich City and Tranmere Rovers v Stockport County - have been postponed. A determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance, in addition to further consultation with DCMS and other sports on Friday morning,” the EFL said in its statement.
West Ham United and FCSB players mark a minute’s silence before their UEFA Conference League match in London. | Photo Credit: Reuters
All English Football clubs across tiers, the Premier League, Spanish football body LaLiga and the ECB are among the major sporting entities that switched their social media Display Pictures colours to black as a mark of respect for the Queen.
According to an official statement from the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: “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.”
CRICKET
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that the day two of the third Test between England and South Africa at the Oval will be suspended. “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 Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place,” the ECB said.
“For fixtures beyond Friday, updates will be provided in due course,” the ECB added.
The Union Jack is seen at half-mast after it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away today after Day One Third Test between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
FOOTBALL
Multiple reports from the United Kingdom have stated that sports fixtures including the Premier League will be postponed in the UK.
Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League game at Old Trafford against Real Sociedad goes ahead
English football giant Manchester United were among the first sporting clubs to react to the Queen’s passing.
“The club recognises her immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world. Everyone connected with Manchester United joins the wider football family in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family,” United said in its statement.
Tonight’s match:
Following direction from the FA and UEFA, United confirmed its UEFA Europa League home fixture against Real Sociedad went ahead as scheduled at Old Trafford.
Manchester United and Real Sociedad players observe a minute’s silence after the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth before the match at Old Trafford. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Arsenal’s Europa League match against FC Zurich goes ahead as planned
Arsenal’s opening game of the UEFA Europa League against FC Zurich has gone ahead as planned in Switzerland.
Arsenal and FC Zurich players marked a minute’s silence before the start of the second half, after the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
The England Football gave its condolences on social media after the demise of Her Majesty. “It is with profound sadness that we received the news that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away,” it wrote
TENNIS
US Open
The US Open men’s and women’s singles semifinals and finals are slated t to go ahead as per schedule in New York over the weekened.
The tournament will mark its tributes to the Queen with a moment of silence and a photo montage before the first women’s semifinal between Caroline Garcia and Ons Jabeur on Friday.
ATHLETICS
The Great North 5k and the UK Athletics 5k Road Championships, both scheduled to take place on September 9, have been cancelled.
BOXING
Friday’s weigh-in for Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshal is set to take place behind closed doors. An announcement regarding Saturday’s fight at The O2 in London will be made after consultation with the relevant government bodies.
GOLF
Play stopped at BMW PGA Championship
The DP World Tour announced that the BMW PGA Championship has been suspended for the remainder of Thursday. “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 DP World Tour announced in a statement.
Roger Federer hailed Queen Elizabeth II for her “elegance” and “grace” as the world of sport stopped to pay tribute to the British monarch who passed away.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty,” tweeted Federer who met the queen when she visited Wimbledon in 2010.
MOTORSPORT
HORSERACING
The British Horseracing authority has announced that races on Thursday and Friday has been suspended.
“Her Majesty has been one of the greatest and most influential supporters in the history of horseracing. Her passion for racing and the racehorse shone brightly throughout her life, not only through her close involvement in breeding and racing horses, but in her roles as a patron of The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and as the figurehead of Royal Ascot. It is right, therefore, that all racing is suspended for today and tomorrow as we begin to grieve Her Majesty’s passing and remember her extraordinary life and contribution to our sport and our nation.”
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