Search icon

Football

09th Sep 2022

Premier League and EFL in talks over fixture postponements after death of Queen

Simon Lloyd

A decision is expected on Friday.

Discussions are being held on Friday morning over a possible postponement of this weekend’s Premier League and EFL fixtures following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday evening that the Queen had passed away peacefully at her Balmoral residence earlier in the afternoon.

Hours later, a statement from the EFL explained that two fixtures scheduled for Friday night – Burnley vs Norwich in the Championship and Tranmere Rovers vs Stockport in League Two – had been postponed as a mark of respect, with a further decision expected on the rest of the weekend’s fixtures expected the next day.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are understood to be holding a meeting about a possible postponement of the weekend’s sport on Friday morning. This will be followed by a separate meeting held by the Premier League, which is expected to begin at 11 am.

The DCMS are not expected to make a formal decision on any postponements but will offer guidance to senior figures across the country’s sporting bodies.

European games involving British teams went ahead as scheduled on Thursday night. Arsenal, who were playing a Europa League game away in Zurich when the news was confirmed, held a minute’s silence at half-time.

Away from football, the England and Wales Cricket Board also confirmed on Thursday evening that there would be no play at The Oval on Friday in England’s Test Match with South Africa.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10