British sports activities paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her dying on Thursday with soccer’s governing our bodies in dialogue with the federal government as to the standing of occasions for this weekend and past. Sporting occasions scheduled for Friday have already been postponed, together with two fixtures within the English Soccer League (EFL).
Buckingham Palace introduced earlier on Thursday that the Queen, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, had handed away peacefully on the age of 96. The nation, in addition to the opposite 14 nations of which Elizabeth was sovereign, will now enter a interval of mourning.
The Division for Tradition, Media and Sport will meet with sporting our bodies on Friday morning to supply steering on the standing of this weekend’s occasions, which embody a full schedule for English and Scottish soccer. Two EFL fixtures — Burnley vs. Norwich within the Championship and Tranmere Rovers vs. Stockport County in League Two — that had been resulting from happen on Friday have now been postponed.
On Thursday, Europa League and Convention League matches involving British sides went forward following session with competitors governing physique UEFA and the English Soccer Affiliation (FA), on condition that information broke solely an hour and a half earlier than the later matches kicked off. Security concerns had been paramount in making the choice that the video games ought to go forward. Arsenal’s match away to FC Zurich had kicked off earlier than affirmation of the Queen’s passing; previous to the sport’s resumption for the second half, either side undertook a minute of silence to pay tribute. Arsenal gamers wore black armbands.
Manchester United and West Ham United additionally noticed a interval of silence with gamers from the English golf equipment and their opponents sporting black armbands. Supporters at London Stadium chanted “God save the Queen.” Promoting hoardings on the London Stadium and Outdated Trafford had been blacked out while flags had been flown at half-mast “as an indication of our utmost respect” in Manchester United’s phrases.
An announcement from the membership mentioned: “Manchester United shares the sorrow of the whole nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen. The membership acknowledges her immense contribution to public life, together with sport, each right here in the UK, throughout the Commonwealth, and around the globe. Everybody linked with Manchester United joins the broader soccer household in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Household.”
It stays to be seen whether or not any additional matches scheduled for this weekend will happen. The EFL — which is liable for fixtures within the second, third and fourth tiers of English soccer — mentioned: “A willpower concerning the rest of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will probably be made following a evaluate of the official mourning steering, along with additional session with DCMS and different sports activities on Friday morning.”
Authorities steering for the dying final yr of the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, left it as much as particular person sporting our bodies to resolve whether or not to postpone fixtures. When the earlier monarch George VI died in 1952 soccer matches went forward with hymn “Abide With Me” sung earlier than kickoff. Rugby and hockey matches had been postponed.
Away from soccer, additional sporting occasions in the UK which have been scheduled for Friday have already been postponed. These embody the PGA Championship occasion at Wentworth and the second day of the cricket Take a look at match between England and South Africa at Lord’s, London. All horse racing occasions resulting from happen tomorrow have additionally been canceled.
A minute’s silence will probably be held earlier than the primary follow spherical at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Method One chief govt Stefano Domenicali mentioned: “Method One mourns the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For greater than seven many years she devoted her life to public service with dignity and devotion and impressed so many around the globe.
“Method One sends its deepest condolences to the royal household and to the folks of the UK and the Commonwealth.”