Premier League consider swapping venues for next weekend's matches

The Premier League are considering various venue swaps for next weekend’s round of fixtures, according to reports.

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This weekend’s games were postponed after Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday as the United Kingdom entered an official period of mourning.

Next week’s games are also due to be affected – with the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19 due to cause an influx of people heading to London – resulting in concerns over matches scheduled in the capital.

That’s due to policing, putting Tottenham’s match against Leicester City in doubt as well as Chelsea’s meeting with Liverpool and Brentford’s clash with Arsenal.

Premier League clubs are ‘hopeful’ that next weekend’s games will go ahead, though there could be ‘disagreements’ over the venue of matches, according to The Athletic.

One idea being discussed would see London clubs become the away sides instead, so Tottenham would travel to Leicester and Liverpool would host Chelsea.

However, this would not offer a solution for Brentford’s game against Arsenal, with both clubs based in London, and it remains to be seen what would happen to that particular fixture.

‘Whether matches go ahead is a matter for the footballing authorities,’ the Metropolitan Police said.

‘If fixtures do take place the Met will work with the relevant partners and ensure that appropriate policing plans are in place.’

It is thought that matches outside of London are unlikely to be interrupted by the Queen’s funeral, meaning less disruption to the likes of Manchester United’s clash with Leeds and Manchester City’s trip to Wolves.

Whether English Football League (EFL) games across the Championship, League One and League Two can still go ahead or not will be announced in due course.

Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates

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