How will the Premier League reorganize the schedule after postponing games?
The Premier League face another challenge in rearranging matchday seven games after the entire weekend’s fixture list was cancelled as a mark of respect following the Queen’s passing,
The Premier League paid tribute to the Queen after the death of Her Majesty at the age of 96 was confirmed by the Royal Family last Thursday.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement on the status of the Queen’s health earlier in the day and said doctors were “concerned”, with members of the Royal Family travelling to Balmoral to be by her side.
A statement on the Premier League’s Twitter page read: “The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty.”
The Premier League later took the decision to call off its full weekend fixture programme following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, saying it took the decision “as a mark of respect” for a monarch who had been “an inspiration”.
A statement read: “At a meeting this morning (Friday 9), 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.”
The governing body now face the challenge of looking for new dates for the matchday 7 round of games in a season that is already being disrupted with the staging of the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November.
The fixture commission will meet in due course to look for new dates to stage these cancelled games.
English Football League resumes
The English Football League, which manages the three divisions below the Premier League, said on Monday that matches will return as scheduled from Tuesday after the last round of games were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
The EFL said on Monday that tributes will be paid to the queen at grounds across England. ‘A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums,’ it said in a statement. ‘With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.