If the Premier League’s initial decision to postpone last weekend’s fixtures seemed so strikingly clear cut, that perhaps wasn’t the case in terms of sentiment towards the call. Some sources privvy to the various levels of discussion claim the Premier League changed its mind four times, but the competition have dismissed this as not true. Earlier meetings ensured they knew what they were doing before convening with the clubs at 11am on Friday, and had their backing. Underneath, mind, there wasn’t the same enthusuasm for postponing football. It set a tone for the week, but perhaps not of the solemnity that had been intended. There have been conflicted feelings, and a sense of every decision actually misjudging the timing or the very mindset of the nation. The latter was certainly the case as regards the reaction to the weekend off, where it quickly became apparent the vast majority wanted to play. It's carried on like that.
When news broke of how the Premier League would be showing respect to the Queen this weekend, one involved source immediately remarked that “it’s a bit much”. Many felt the same.
