The Irish FA has confirmed that all football in Northern Ireland has been postponed this weekend following the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
The death of Elizabeth II, who was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, was announced by Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
The NI Football League announced on Thursday evening that Friday's Premiership games involving Cliftonville vs Glentoran and Larne vs Dungannon Swifts had been postponed.
Read more: Northern Ireland sports stars pay tribute following death of the Queen
And on Friday morning the Irish FA announced that there will be no fixtures in Northern Ireland this weekend.
The decision applies to all levels of football here, from grassroots to the Irish League.
In a statement, the Irish FA said: “As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend‘s fixtures across all affiliated football in Northern Ireland, and all other organised football activity, at all levels, have been postponed.”
Several leading figures within the Irish FA have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
IFA president Conrad Kirkwood said: “The Queen was a model of leadership, selfless service and dignity to which we could all aspire.
“Her resilience and energy over the entirety of her long reign has set the bar high for anyone in public life. Her loss will be felt by so many people in Northern Ireland who held her in such high affection and esteem.”
Patrick Nelson, Irish FA CEO, added: “The Queen served the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth with a selfless generosity of spirit. As an association, we pay tribute to her life of public service.”
Northern Ireland men's team manager Ian Baraclough said the Queen would be "remembered as one of our most popular and greatest monarchs.”
He added: “I am saddened to hear about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was much loved and respected all over the world and will be missed enormously."
Meanwhile, senior women's boss Kenny Shiels said: “The Queen has been unique, not only in her longevity, but in her remarkable family care. She has set an example to every mother by how she was able to devote herself to the needs of everybody.
“I feel like we are all indebted to this fantastic human being. She always sought peace and was able to reassure her people with a trusting emphasis to bring us through the Troubles in our small province. God bless her.”
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