The UK government has left the Premier League and EFL to take a final decision on postponing this weekend’s games following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport held a call with all major sporting bodies at 9.30am on Friday morning to set out its stance.
The government has said there is “no obligation” to postpone matches this weekend and the decision to cancel is “at the discretion of individual organisations”.
It is now up to the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association to decide how to proceed. The Premier League will hold a meeting at 11am on Friday to finalize their schedule for the weekend’s games.
The Football Association of Ireland has already announced it will reschedule matches in Northern Ireland this weekend.
A statement titled “Guide for the period of national mourning” said: “There is no obligation to cancel or reschedule events and sporting events or to close entertainment venues during the period of national mourning. This is at the discretion of each organization.
“As a mark of respect, organizations may wish to consider canceling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the state funeral. You are not required to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of each organization.
Queen Elizabeth II dead: What’s next?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the throne, her death was announced by Buckingham Palace on September 8, 2022.
She died aged 96 at her home in Balmoral, with her son, now King Charles, and daughter Princess Anne at her side.
Follow the Metro.co.uk live blog for the latest updates.
“If sporting events or events are planned for the day of the state funeral, organizations may wish to adjust event times so that they do not conflict with the times of the funeral service and associated processions.
‘As a mark of respect and in keeping with the tone of national mourning, organizers may wish to observe a period of silence and/or play the national anthem at the start of events or sporting events and players may wish to wear black armbands.’
On Thursday, the EFL announced games scheduled for Friday had been postponed.
Burnley and Norwich City were set to play in the Championship, while Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County were set to meet in League Two.
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