Leeds United, along with the rest of the Premier League, have had their fixtures scheduled this weekend postponed as a mark of respect after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away yesterday afternoon at Balmoral Castle.
The decision comes after the EFL postponed its Friday fixtures, with both Norwich City's trip to Burnley and Stockport County's trip to Tranmere Rovers being called off. Now Leeds' home game against Nottingham Forest on Monday will have to be rescheduled, likely until after the World Cup this winter as there are no free midweeks because of the tournament.
A statement from the Premier League read:
"At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.
"Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
""As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.
""This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
"Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course."
This comes after Leeds' under-21s fixture at West Bromwich Albion, scheduled for Friday evening, was postponed earlier this morning.
The Premier League was led by the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) guidance saying fixtures could go ahead, but top flight footballing fixtures during the weekend of her tragic passing have now been postponed.
The DCMS's guidance was as follows:
"There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
"As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations. If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.
"As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands."
There also confirmed protocols in place around horse racing and cricket.
After the death of George VI in 1952, rugby and hockey fixtures were called off, while football matches went ahead. Fans sang Abide With Me and the national anthem before kick off at matches. All games, including golf, will be banned in the Royal Parks.
Following Princess Diana's death on Sunday, August 31, 1997, the Liverpool vs Newcastle United Premier League match scheduled to kick off later that day was postponed.
Football League fixtures the following weekend were moved to avoid clashing with Diana's funeral. The Premier League was on an international break.
