Sport cancelled LIVE: Premier League postpones weekend fixtures following death of Queen
Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
The Premier League and EFL cancelled their fixtures this weekend as professional football in England will be postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
As the UK enters a period of national mourning, other sports will also be making a decision as to whether they will postpone their events this weekend and moving forward. Decisions regarding further postponements in the calendar are set to be determined following consideration of official mourning guidance, set to be issued by the Cabinet Office, but it is understood it will be left to individual sports event organisers to decide how to proceed – with postponements not being mandatory.
On Thursday evening, following the announcement from Buckingham Palace, the BMW PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth was immediately suspended and Friday’s play cancelled, while the ECB also called off day two of the England vs South Africa Test match at the Oval, which was scheduled for Friday.
Thursday evening’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash between Northampton Saints and Saracens was called off, while a decision will need to be made on the Gallagher Premiership season that was set to get underway this weekend. Elsewhere, Friday’s horse racing meetings in the UK have been cancelled and cycling’s Tour of Britain has been suspended but the F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza will go ahead with a minute’s silence in honour of the Queen.
Follow all the latest updates on sport’s cancellations with our live blog below:
Super League play-off expected to go ahead
Ian Laybourn of the PA news agency says that the weekend’s Super League play-offs are expected to go ahead as will rugby league at all levels.
That’s no surprise given the zero margin for manoeuvre with the play-offs.
The Guardian’s Aaron Bower says the same thing.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:45
Premier League and EFL postpone fixtures following Queen’s death
The Premier League and EFL have postponed their fixtures this weekend following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The footballing bodies held an emergency meeting with the Government on Friday morning to decide whether to postpone the weekend’s fixtures and have opted to cancel all games as a show of respect to the monarch after her 70-year reign, as the UK enters a period of national mourning.
A statement from the Premier League confirmed: “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 and EFL postpone fixtures following Queen’s death
With a period of national mourning beginning, all this weekend’s professional football games in England have been postponed
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:40
Weekend Premier League matches postponed
The Premier League has postponed all scheduled fixtures for this weekend out of respect to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Here is the released statement which says arrangements to rearrange the fixtures will be announced at a later date.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:37
Premier League and EFL games postponed
A statement from the EFL reads:
“Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September 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 the 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.”
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:35
Premier League expected to cancel weekend fixtures
The Premier League has been in discussions since 11am over whether to postpone this weekend’s fixtures and word is slowly coming out that that is indeed the case.
Expect the EFL to follow suit as well.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:31
Great North Run in doubt
The Great North Run, the world’s largest half-marathon, is set for Sunday but it is unclear whether the run will go ahead. Organisers cancelled its 5k sister event on Friday with a decision of the main race due later today.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:25
Ben Stokes wants England’s third Test with South Africa to go ahead ‘in Queen’s memory’
England captain Ben Stokes said he would be “honoured” to play in the Queen’s memory as officials decide whether to resume the third and final Test against South Africa.
The second day did not proceed as scheduled at the Kia Oval following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday and the England and Wales Cricket Board is due to issue an update on the status of the series decider later on Friday.
But Stokes, responding to footballer Darren Huckerby’s question about whether sporting events should go ahead, tweeted: “She loved sport, [I would] be honoured to play in her memory.”
Ben Stokes wants to play Test against South Africa ‘in Queen’s memory’
England’s third Test match with South Africa is yet to get under way after rain washed out Thursday’s play and Friday’s was suspended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:20
A waiting game
We’re still waiting for the decisions from individual sporting bodies over whether this weekend’s fixtures and events will take place.
It feels as though no-one wants to be the first to decide which way to go and when one of the governing bodies announces their decision the rest will quickly follow.
The Premier League have been in discussions over postponements since 11am. The tight schedule due to the World Cup in November/December will undoubtably be a big factor in influencing their decision.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:15
What’s going on with Rugby League?
The Rugby Football League have postponed Friday’s Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams.
The first Super League elimination play-off between Catalans Dragons and Leeds will go ahead as it is taking place in Perpignan, France. A minute’s silence will take place before kick off, and both teams will wear black armbands.
The Super League Grand Final is scheduled for fortnight on Saturday and can’t or won’t be moved due to the availability at Old Trafford and the Rugby League World Cup coming up in October meaning the play-off games need to be played.
Further announcements about the weekend’s fixtures at all levels are set to be made “as soon as possible” according to the governing body.
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:10
Piers Morgan says sport should continue
Is Piers talking sense for once or is he wide of the mark again?
Michael Jones9 September 2022 11:05
