This weekend's SFPL fixture card has been postponed after the passing of The Queen.
The Queen died on Thursday, aged 96, and now sport is set to shut down in unison as a poignant mark of respect for the long-reigning monarch. English football follows suit, with rugby, horse racing and golf postponing their events, as well as the the Great North 5k. The Queen was an avid lover of sport and was an attendee at multiple major events during her 70-years at the helm. And her passing was immediately felt, as Hearts and Arsenal held a minutes' silence at half time of their European games.
Friday's game between Cove Rangers and Dundee had already been called off. And now the SPFL have moved to shut down the full weekend's fixture card . Rangers ' trip to Aberdeen had been set to kickstart a weekend of Scottish Premiership action, with every club in the top division set to compete this weekend. Celtic had been set to welcome Livingston, while Motherwell's were due to visit Ross County. Dundee United's clash with Hibs and St Johnstone's game against Kilmarnock are also off. Hearts were set to play on Sunday having been in Europa Conference League action, but the St Mirren showdown is on hold.
But it's been confirmed that all professional leagues, including the Highland and Lowland Leages, plus the Women's Premier League, will all be in shutdown over the weekend.
An SPFL statement said: "Following meetings this morning, the Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League, and Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues have agreed that all professional football matches will be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This postponement will also incorporate the Women’s Scottish Cup fixtures this weekend."
SPFL chief-executive Neil Doncaster added: “Following consultation with the UK and Scottish Governments, the Scottish FA, our counterparts at the EPL and others, we confirm that all SPFL fixtures scheduled for this weekend will be postponed as a mark of respect.
“The passing of The Queen, a constant in our lives for 70 years, is a profound and momentous occasion. It is therefore appropriate that professional football marks this event with all possible solemnity. We will update clubs and supporters when we have clarity over official arrangements for Her Majesty’s funeral.”
The SRU had announced the sport was being put on hold over the weekend, with Edinburgh Rugby’s European clash against Treviso in Italy on Friday also a doubt. A statement said: “As a mark of respect, and to acknowledge the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Scottish Rugby has decided to suspend all domestic matches this weekend. The decision also includes Scotland’s Summer Test v Spain on Sunday and the Famous Grouse Summer Pre-season Challenge between Glasgow Warriors and Ulster on Friday evening.”
A further decision on fixtures beyond this weekend are expected at a later date.
READ NEXT
