Sporting events are being cancelled following the death of the Queen and more are expected to follow as a period of national mourning begins.
Decisions regarding further postponements in the calendar are set to be determined following consideration of official mourning guidance, set to be issued by the Cabinet Office.
However, it is understood it will be left to sports event organisers to decide how to proceed, and postponements will not be mandatory.
A meeting involving representatives from sports governing bodies and the Government is scheduled for Friday morning.
Here are the matches and events which have been affected by the news.
Football
The Premier League, EFL and Women’s Super League have all confirmed that all matches have been postponed this weekend.
A statement from the Premier League confirmed: “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.”
The EFL added that their decision was “aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend.” The decision will also affect all grassroots football under FA jurisdiction, while Scottish Premiership and Scottish Football League matches have also been postponed.
A decision on next weekend’s domestic fixtures, or the midweek European action due to be played in the UK, has yet to be taken but the Premier League said further updates would be provided in due course. The period of national mourning will extend to Monday 19 September, the day of the State Funeral, and concerns around policing means the status of next weekend’s fixtures is currently uncertain.
Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and West Ham’s game against FCSB in the Europa Conference League at the London Stadium went ahead on Thursday evening with pre-match tributes.
Cricket
After play was cancelled on Friday, cricket will resume on Saturday with England’s Test match against South Africa to take place at the Oval. All international, domestic and recreational matches scheduled to take place across the weekend can go ahead, including England women’s T20 match against India in Durham.
“Cricket will resume on Saturday to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and honour her remarkable life and service,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.
“Play will resume from Saturday including international, domestic, and recreational fixtures. The decision has been taken after consultation with DCMS and in line with Official National Mourning guidance.”
Friday’s play between England and South Africa men at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, was cancelled but Ben Stokes, England’s captain, said he would be “honoured” to play in the Queen’s memory.
Rugby Union
Friday’s Premiership matches between Bristol and Bath and Sale and Northampton have been postponed, but the rest of the opening weekend of the season will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday and Sunday.
A statement read: “Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby will take place at 5.30pm on Saturday and an update will be given on the Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints as soon as possible.
“The other matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as scheduled, with Premiership clubs joining with supporters in recognising Queen Elizabeth’s life and service. Prior to the start of each match, a one-minute silent tribute will take place. All players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands.”
The Scottish Rugby Union has postponed all domestic competitive games this weekend as a mark of respect and the women’s summer Test international between Scotland and Spain on Sunday is also off.
Rugby League
The RFL postponed Friday’s Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams, but the first Super League elimination play-off between Catalans Dragons and Leeds will go ahead as it is taking place in Perpignan, France.
A further announcement about the weekend was made on Friday afternoon, as the governing body confirmed that fixtures at all levels will go ahead.
“Following the publication of National Mourning Guidance, and consultation with Government, other sports and Rugby League stakeholders including clubs, the RFL can confirm that fixtures at all levels will go ahead this weekend,” read a governing body statement.
“This will include the Betfred Super League Elimination Play-Off on Saturday, the remainder of the Betfred Championship programme following the postponement of the one match scheduled for Friday night, the Betfred League One Play-Offs, the Women’s Super League Shield Semi Finals and all community fixtures including Physical Disability Rugby League Finals Day.”
Golf
Play was suspended for the day at the BMW PGA Championship and there was no play on Friday. However, the tournament will resume with rounds on Saturday and Sunday and the event being reduced to 54 holes.
A statement from DP World Tour said: “The second round of the BMW PGA Championship will resume at 6.40am on Saturday morning and all original second round tee times will remain the same. Those players who are yet to complete their first round will do so from 7.30am onwards from the place on the golf course where they stopped on Thursday afternoon.
“The Rolex Series event will now be contested over 54 holes with the intention to finish on Sunday as scheduled. It is not possible to play the full 72 holes and finish on Monday as we cannot guarantee the staff, facilities or security of the venue on Monday due to the ongoing plans for the state funeral.”
Formula 1
Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled with a minute’s silence planned before practice on Friday and another expected before the race.
Boxing
The British Board of Boxing Control has suspended all fights that were due to take place on Friday (9 September). Furthermore, Saturday’s Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall fight card has been postponed. The event was due to be held at the O2 Arena in London, and promoter Boxxer is now eyeing 15 October as a new date for the card.
Horse racing
Racing at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday evening was abandoned. The British Horseracing Authority also announced the meetings scheduled for Friday – including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster – have also been cancelled.
Athletics
The Great North Run, the world’s largest half-marathon, will go ahead on Sunday. Organisers cancelled its 5k sister event on Friday, but confirmed that the main race will go on.
Cycling
Friday’s Tour of Britain stage was promptly cancelled and later on Thursday evening the rest of the tour, which was set to finish on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, was called off entirely.
