It's been confirmed that this weekend's Premier League fixtures have been postponed as a mark of respect to the Queen after her death on Thursday.
A full round of games was scheduled for this weekend, but the Premier League announced the decision to postpone the games on Friday morning.
Premier League games postponed as mark of respect to the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday afternoon at the age of 96 after 70 years as the reigning monarch. Official government guidance published on Friday morning suggested that sporting and cultural events could go ahead as planned, once they did not clash with the Queen's funeral.
Nonetheless, Premier League officials decided to call off this weekend's round of games, with the EFL following suit.
Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September will be postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.#EFL https://t.co/TKtWrbalcg
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) September 9, 2022
In a statement on the fixtures being postponed, the Premier League said:
At a meeting this morning, 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.
Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.
The postponement of this weekend's games leaves a serious fixture headache in what is already a jampacked season.
With a winter World Cup forcing a break in the season, many clubs are already averaging two games a week due to timing constraints. It will be challenging for Premier League officials to find a gap in the schedule to fit a full round of games.
On top of the 10 games scheduled for this weekend, the week eight fixture between Brighton and Crystal Palace has also been postponed due to transport concerns, adding to the chaos.
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Several English clubs were in action in Europe on Thursday evening in the aftermath of the news, with tributes paid at West Ham, Arsenal, and Manchester United's Europa League and Europa Conference League fixtures.
All three clubs, along with the four English clubs in the Champions League, are in European action again next week. Reports suggest that the ongoing situation in the UK could force the British clubs with home fixtures to play their games in an overseas venue, with Dublin mentioned as an option for Premier League clubs.
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