The Football Supporters’ Association has called for fans left out of pocket by the postponement of matches after the Queen’s death to be treated sympathetically. Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSA, has urged rail companies and the football authorities to ensure supporters due to travel to away games this weekend do not lose out as a result of the decision to suspend the programme as a mark of respect.
“There’s a big question there about refunds, advance train tickets that have been booked for away games and all of that,” he said. “We would certainly expect the rail industry and the football authorities to take a very sympathetic view of that. It’s not a good time to ask fans to spend money on things that don’t happen.”
The Football Association, of which the Queen was a longstanding patron, announced on Friday that all fixtures scheduled this weekend from Premier League and EFL level, as well as in Scotland and Northern Ireland down to the grassroots game, would be postponed. Other sports, notably cricket, golf and both rugby codes, opted to go ahead as planned with tributes being paid before play started.
The FSA said on Friday: “We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance – be those moments of joy or moments of mourning. Our view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most supporters would have liked to go to games this weekend and pay their respects to the Queen alongside their fellow fans.”
The former England internationals Peter Crouch and Gary Neville echoed the sentiments. “Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem, Royal band playing etc to the millions around the world watching? Isn’t that a better send-off,” posted Crouch on social media. Neville added: “Sport can demonstrate better than most the respect the Queen deserves.“
Competitors, officials and spectators as the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the third Test between England and South Africa at the Oval and the Super League playoff eliminator between Huddersfield and Salford were able to do just that.
Asked if that reinforced the FSA’s view, Clarke, who said there was a range of views even within its membership, said: “We feel that there were other ways of paying tribute that would have actually been more meaningful than simply calling everything off, particularly with things like kids’ football.
“I’m sure that the youngsters could have found better ways of doing it than sitting at home on their Xboxes or going out with their parents to alternative events.”
