Former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys believes football authorities made the correct decision to postpone fixtures following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty passed away at her Balmoral residence on Thursday, aged 96. In response, all professional and grassroots matches were postponed out of respect. “At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” a statement from top-flight bosses read on Friday.
“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.”
The FA’s statement added: “Her Majesty the Queen was a long-standing Patron of The Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game. 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.
“The FA can confirm that all football fixtures across the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed this weekend.
“We can also confirm that all football fixtures across the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7, and matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed.”
The decision wasn’t universally popular - particularly after it became apparent other sports would indeed go ahead as planned. England men’s cricket test match vs South Africa resumed on Saturday following a pause on Friday, whilst Rugby games, across both codes, were played over the weekend.
Many believe playing matches would have allowed public signs of respect to the late Queen. Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said: “Given the wonderful and moving scenes at The Oval, it feels a real shame that football is not taking place this weekend, therefore missing the opportunity to pay its respects.”
Whilst Arsenal fan and TV personality Piers Morgan added: “Ridiculous decision.” BT Sport pundit Peter Crouch saw it from the same viewpoint, posting on social media: “I know it’s only a game and some things are much bigger but imagine all our games went ahead this weekend.
“Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem, Royal band playing etc to the millions around the world watching? Isn’t that a better send off?”
However, Keys, who now presents Premier League coverage on beIN Sports, felt that authorities were right to postpone matches, in order to allow people to pay their respects. “Football had no choice but to stop this w/e,” he explained. “Those that think differently are wrong. The sports that played on should be ashamed.”
Keys is now based in Qatar, but informed his 255k followers that he had returned to the United Kingdom following the news, posting: “As soon as the games were off I flew in to pay my respects. So did everybody else it seems. RIP your Majesty. It feels as though London wants to cry today.”
There has yet to be an announcement as to whether the domestic calendar will continue from the start of next week, although games in European competitions are set to be played as scheduled.
* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pullouts.
