Sport cancelled LIVE: Cricket and golf resume but Marshall vs Shields off as Premier League postpones fixtures
The Premier League and EFL postponed all professional football in England this weekend as a mark of respect
The Premier League and EFL cancelled their fixtures this weekend as professional football in England will be postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
As the UK enters a period of national mourning, other sports are also making a decision as to whether they will postpone their events this weekend. Decisions regarding further postponements in the calendar are set to be determined following consideration of official mourning guidance, set to be issued by the Cabinet Office, but it is understood it will be left to individual sports event organisers to decide how to proceed - with postponements not being mandatory.
On Thursday evening, following the announcement from Buckingham Palace, the BMW PGA Championship golf event at Wentworth was immediately suspended and Friday’s play cancelled, although the tournament will resume on Saturday and be played over 54 holes. Meanwhile, the ECB also called off day two of the England vs South Africa Test match at the Oval, which was scheduled for Friday, before England captain Ben Stokes urged the rest of the match to be played in “the Queen’s memory” and it was announced that it will indeed resume on Saturday.
The boxing world title fight between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields at the O2 Arena on Saturday evening was postponed, while Friday night’s pair of Gallagher Premiership matches were called off, although the rest of the opening weekend of action in English rugby’s top flight will go ahead. Elsewhere, Friday and Saturday’s horse racing meetings in the UK have been cancelled and cycling’s Tour of Britain has been suspended but the F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza will go ahead with a minute’s silence in honour of the Queen.
Follow all the latest updates on sport’s cancellations with our live blog below:
Ben Stokes wants England’s third Test with South Africa to go ahead ‘in Queen’s memory’
England captain Ben Stokes said he would be “honoured” to play in the Queen’s memory as officials decide whether to resume the third and final Test against South Africa.
The second day did not proceed as scheduled at the Kia Oval following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday and the England and Wales Cricket Board is due to issue an update on the status of the series decider later on Friday.
But Stokes, responding to footballer Darren Huckerby’s question about whether sporting events should go ahead, tweeted: “She loved sport, [I would] be honoured to play in her memory.”
Ben Stokes wants to play Test against South Africa ‘in Queen’s memory’
England’s third Test match with South Africa is yet to get under way after rain washed out Thursday’s play and Friday’s was suspended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
A waiting game
We’re still waiting for the decisions from individual sporting bodies over whether this weekend’s fixtures and events will take place.
It feels as though no-one wants to be the first to decide which way to go and when one of the governing bodies announces their decision the rest will quickly follow.
The Premier League have been in discussions over postponements since 11am. The tight schedule due to the World Cup in November/December will undoubtably be a big factor in influencing their decision.
What’s going on with Rugby League?
The Rugby Football League have postponed Friday’s Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams.
The first Super League elimination play-off between Catalans Dragons and Leeds will go ahead as it is taking place in Perpignan, France. A minute’s silence will take place before kick off, and both teams will wear black armbands.
The Super League Grand Final is scheduled for fortnight on Saturday and can’t or won’t be moved due to the availability at Old Trafford and the Rugby League World Cup coming up in October meaning the play-off games need to be played.
Further announcements about the weekend’s fixtures at all levels are set to be made “as soon as possible” according to the governing body.
Piers Morgan says sport should continue
Is Piers talking sense for once or is he wide of the mark again?
Premier League holds emergency meeting over whether to cancel weekend fixtures
The Premier League is holding an emergency meeting at 11am on Friday morning to decide whether fixtures will go ahead this weekend or be postponed following the death of the Queen.
Several sporting events across the UK have already been cancelled or postponed as the nation begins a period of official mourning, ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral which is expected to be held on Monday 19 September. Friday’s play at both the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Test match between England and South Africa at the Oval was suspended.
Manchester United’s European match with Real Sociedad and West Ham’s game against FCSB went ahead on Thursday evening after pre-match tributes. But the English Football League confirmed that Friday night’s Championship game between Burnley and Norwich and the League Two match between Tranmere and Stockport had been postponed, with a decision on Saturday’s fixtures yet to be made.
Premier League holds emergency meeting over whether to cancel weekend fixtures
Premier League games this weekend could be postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Sport set to be cancelled for State Funeral
Official guidance recommends that sporting bodies and entertainment venues consider postponing events and closing venues on the day of the Queen’s State Funeral.
There is no obligation to cancel sporting events during the time of National Mourning. The guidance reads:
“There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period...
“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.”
At present the Queen’s funeral is believed to be taking place on Monday 19th September.
Ben Stokes would be honoured to play in Queen’s memory
England’s test match captain Ben Stokes responded to a question on Twitter which asked how people were feeling about having sport continue this weekend.
Stokes replied: “She loved sport, be honoured to play in her memory.”
His tweet comes after the ECB postponed Friday’s play in the third and final test match between England and South Africa at The Oval over respect to the departed sovereign.
Premier League and rest of sport to decide on schedules after Queen’s death
Organisers of the weekend’s sporting events are to be left to decide whether to postpone their schedules in the wake of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
Decisions on whether to go ahead will be made following consideration of official mourning guidance, set to be issued by the Cabinet Office.
However, it will be left to individual organisations to choose how to proceed and postponements will not be mandatory. A meeting involving representatives from sports governing bodies and the Government is scheduled for Friday morning.
Premier League and rest of sport to decide on schedules after Queen’s death
Does sport still take place now the Queen has died?
What’s happening with Tennis?
The US Open men’s and women’s singles finals are set to go ahead in New York across Saturday and Sunday night.
The tournament will pay tribute to the Queen with a moment of silence and a photo montage ahead of the first women’s semi-final on Thursday evening.
Tennis’ major stars have also sent condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal leading the way.
UK government says football can go ahead
The UK government has told football leagues that games can go ahead this weekend but has left the decision over postponements to individual governing bodies.
That means it is still unclear what the Premier League, EFL and Football Association — who organise the Women’s Super League — will choose to do.
In a statement titled ‘Guidance for the Period of National Mourning’, a statement reads:
“The decision as to whether sporting fixtures continue to go ahead is at the discretion of organisers. Organisers may wish to consider using black armbands and observing a silence before matches are played.”
The Premier League will then have a meeting at 11.00am to decide their course of action.
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