Premier League matches next week may be postponed amid ‘major concern’

Premier League matches postponed after death of Queen Elizabeth II

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The Premier League could decide to postpone a second round of planned fixtures amid ‘major concerns’ over whether games should be played in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, according to reports. The nation’s longest-reigning monarch died at her Balmoral residence in Scotland while surrounded by close members of the royal family, with Buckingham Palace confirming the news by releasing an official statement on Thursday evening.

Her death saw this weekend’s round of Premier League games postponed on Friday morning before the EFL followed suit shortly afterwards. There is now a feeling that next week’s matches will also be pushed back as a result of Thursday’s sad news, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It is said that ‘major concerns’ have arisen over the likelihood of fixtures being played next weekend if police officers are redeployed en masse to London ahead of the Queen’s funeral. An announcement on the situation is yet to be made by the Premier League or EFL, though, with only this weekend’s games having been postponed as things stand.

European fixtures involving Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United all went ahead on Thursday evening following the announcement of the death of the Queen. Moments of silence were held and tributes were paid by the vast majority of UK clubs as a mark of respect to the monarch, with the nation having entered into a 12-day period of mourning.

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However, it has now been decided that matches across the professional football pyramid will not go ahead this weekend, with the Premier League releasing a statement on the matter on Friday morning.

“At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” it read.

“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 EFL have also opted to postpone their scheduled fixtures over the course of the weekend, with every game in the Championship, League One and League Two having been put on hold.

“This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend,” read a statement on the EFL website.

“Further information, in respect of how football, Clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point. Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course.”

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