Sport in the United Kingdom has been impacted following the death of the Queen, with games off as a mark of respect
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, bringing her historical 70-year reign to an end. The monarch sat on the throne for some of the biggest moments in British footballing history and was also an active participant in a host of memorable events.
From presenting England with their only ever World Cup in 1966, to paying tribute to the Lionesses in summer 2022 following their Euros victory, she left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
A number of events in the United Kingdom have been cancelled or postponed as a mark of respect following her death. GOAL brings you everything you need to know about which football matches have been impacted.
How will British football mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II?
Almost every club in the British football pyramid posted a tribute to Elizabeth II when her death was announced on Thursday.
Newcastle United Women also took the decision not to live-tweet their game against Middlesbrough.
It is expected that further, more formalised tributes will be organised before, during and after games in the near future.
When Prince Philip died in 2021, Premier League players wore black armbands and there were two-minute silences before each game.
Will Premier League, EFL, SPFL & WSL games be postponed?
Premier League fixtures scheduled for September 10, 11 and 12 were postponed by the league to honour Elizabeth II’s “extraordinary life and contribution to the nation” and as a mark of respect.
Arsenal’s Europa League meeting with Zurich had already kicked off when the news was announced on Thursday evening, and the game was concluded as scheduled. Manchester United and West Ham also released statements to confirm that their respective European games would go ahead on Thursday night.
The EFL confirmed that all of the fixtures scheduled from September 9 to September 10 across the Championship, League One and League Two would be postponed. Women’s football is also off out of respect, with Women’ Super League, Women’s Championship, Women’s FA Cup and all fixtures in the pyramid being postponed.
In Scotland, Friday’s meeting between Dundee and Cove Rangers was immediately called off and the SPFL followed up to confirm that all professional football scheduled for that weekend would be postponed. The Irish Football Association also announced that games at all levels under their umbrella taking place between September 9 and September 11 in Northern Ireland would be postponed.
While games have been called off, the British government’s national mourning guidance indicates that “there is no obligation to cancel events and sporting fixtures” and that discretion lies with individual organisations.
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Which Premier League fixtures are postponed?
You can see a list of the games that have been affected by the decision below. Details on rearranged games will be announced at a later date.
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Fulham vs Chelsea | Craven Cottage |
| Sep 10 | Bournemouth vs Brighton | Vitality Stadium |
| Sep 10 | Southampton vs Brentford | St Mary’s |
| Sep 10 | Liverpool vs Wolves | Anfield |
| Sep 10 | Leicester vs Aston Villa | King Power Stadium |
| Sep 10 | Man City vs Tottenham | Etihad Stadium |
| Sep 11 | Arsenal vs Everton | Emirates Stadium |
| Sep 11 | West Ham vs Newcastle | London Stadium |
| Sep 11 | Crystal Palace vs Man Utd | Selhurst Park |
| Sep 12 | Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest | Elland Road |
Will Champions League and international football be affected?
It is not yet certain how football outside of the UK will be affected by the news, but plenty of clubs paid tribute to Elizabeth on Thursday evening.
FIFA also released a statement, which read: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing is a huge loss to football, to our society, and to the world. Our football community laments the loss of a global leader who engaged and encouraged everyone she met.”
In terms of UK teams involved in upcoming European fixtures, Liverpool are due to play Ajax at Anfield and Rangers are scheduled to host Napoli at Ibrox on September 13. Chelsea are set to play RB Salzburg at Stamford Bridge and Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund on September 14. Arsenal are down to play PSV in London on September 15. As yet, these games are unaffected, but tributes are likely.
Reports in Ireland have suggested that the Aviva Stadium in Dublin could host one or more of the games involving English clubs. According to the Irish Sun, the venue is considered a possible neutral alternative should a blackout apply to sport during the UK’s national mourning period.
How will other sports mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II?
England Cricket announced that Day 2 of their test match against South Africa would not take place on Friday, September 9 and that it will be played on Saturday, September 10 instead.
Games scheduled in the rugby union’s Premiership were postponed on Friday, returning on Saturday, while golf at the PGA Championship was also called off, but is expected to resume on Saturday or Sunday.
A world boxing title fight between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields was postponed until October 15, provisionally and British horseracing will resume on Sunday, September 11.
Who will succeed Queen Elizabeth II?
Queen Elizabeth II has been succeeded by her son, Charles, who took the throne immediately following her death and will be styled King Charles III.
The new king released the following statement after ascending to the throne: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
The lyrics to the United Kingdom’s national anthem, God Save the Queen, will be changed following Charles’ ascension and the song will now be ‘God Save the King’.
When is the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II?
The details of the Queen’s funeral have not yet been confirmed. However, it is expected to take place around 10 days after her death, at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth II will lie in rest at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh before being flown to London ahead of the funeral ceremony. READ MORE
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