The Football Association has confirmed that football at all levels can resume in England following the Queen's death last Thursday.
English football's governing body ordered all scheduled fixtures to be postponed between Friday and Sunday - including at Premier League, English Football League, Women's Super League and grassroots levels - out of respect for Elizabeth II, who passed away at her Balmoral estate aged 96.
The FA's decision to suspend football was criticised, as many pundits believed fixtures should've taken place to allow fans to pay their respects to the beloved monarch. The suspension of grassroots football was also viewed by some as an unnecessary move.
It was unclear when football would resume in England due to the United Kingdom's 10-day mourning period after the Queen's passing, which is set to end with her state funeral next Monday. Yet the FA has confirmed fixtures are allowed to be played from this Monday onwards.
"Last weekend, English football united together to honour and remember Her Majesty the Queen," the FA said in a statement. "We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to everyone across our game for their support and understanding as we paid respect to our long-standing Patron of The Football Association, Queen Elizabeth II.
"After a period of pause and reflection for our national game, we can confirm that fixtures will resume as scheduled, including matches from the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, the Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying, Vitality Women’s FA Cup, the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7, and all matches across grassroots football in England. Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup matches will return this evening [Monday].
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"All matches held at stadiums are subject to leagues and clubs working with the relevant authorities to stage these fixtures, as usual practice.
"We will be recommending to clubs, leagues and competitions across the country that a minute’s silence is observed before matches are played, and that black armbands should be worn where possible. All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast this week and over the weekend.
"The FA can also confirm that all scheduled football matches will be postponed on the day of Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September. Our thoughts at this time remain with His Majesty King Charles III, our president, HRH The Prince of Wales, and the whole of the Royal Family."
Although the FA has approved the resumption of football, a lot of fixtures are still expected to be postponed over the next week for logistical reasons. PSV have already confirmed their Europa League game against Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday is off.
Most of these postponements will be in London, where police officers are needed for the Queen's funeral and other events associated with her death. Thousands of people - if not millions - are expected to visit the capital over the coming days to pay their respects.
As exclusively revealed by Mirror Football, the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday is expected to be off.
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.
