Two private schools including one in Lancashire have come in for criticism after they reportedly took part in a football game despite matches all being cancelled following the death The Queen.
The Football Association (FA) ordered that no matches at all levels including the grassroots should be played this weekend, September 9-11, as a "mark of respect" for Britain's longest-serving monarch who they said had "left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game."
However a match between two fee-paying schools, Eton in Berkshire and Rossall, in Fleetwood, Lancs appeared to still take place after the latter school tweeted about the games, the Mirror reports.
READ MORE: Disgust as Manchester playing fields wall daubed with anti-monarchy graffiti following Queen's death
Eton say they believed the games "were not covered by the FA postponement as they were not FA fixtures".
Rossall's tweet, which has now been deleted, showed the footballers paying their respects for the Queen. "Following their visit to Windsor Castle, our senior boys' teams paid their respects in the same way in their fixtures against Eton," read Rossall's tweet.
According to Rossall's fixture list, two games against Eton were scheduled to take place on Saturday at 2:30pm. Those fixtures were also visible on Eton's website.
"All at Eton College mourn the death of Her Majesty the Queen, remember with gratitude her extraordinary service and offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family," read a statement from Eton College. "The whole school gathered together on Friday morning to pay their respects and chapel services were held.
"Two friendly football games were played with Rossall School on Saturday. A minute’s silence was observed by players and spectators beforehand. These trial games formed part of the school’s pre-season training programme and it was understood that they were not covered by the FA postponement as they were not FA fixtures."
Rossall's tweet caused outrage on Twitter, with many people asking why the fee-paying institutions were allowed to play football when other grassroots fixtures were cancelled. Amateur clubs were not even allowed to arrange friendlies against each other.
The FA's statement confirmed: "As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September... matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed."
Talking Toffees, an Everton fan podcast, is one of the many Twitter accounts to complain about the friendlies. "Whilst kids up and down the country are unable to play football this weekend, it seems the same rules don't apply for Eton," they tweeted.
Talking Toffees have contacted Mirror Football to express their frustration at the friendlies. "We have an inclusion football team - many of our players rely on it for their wellbeing and mental health," wrote Peter Daly. "This is why we're so angry about it."
And a Liverpool fan tweeted: "One rule for one... what's the FA's 'For ALL' slogan for? Absolute joke! What gives Rossall and Eton the right to play when all other games have been cancelled?"
The FA's decision to postpone this weekend's football fixtures was criticised, with major events in other sports continuing - such as the Test match between England and South Africa at The Oval. The decision to suspend grassroots football was particularly frowned upon, as thousands of children in the UK play football every weekend."
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