Premier League and EFL football postponed this weekend as mark of respect to HRH Queen Elizabeth II

The Premier League, the EFL and the FA have announced the postponement of all football matches this weekend ‘as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II’.

The Queen, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral in Scotland yesterday aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

It was announced last night that this evening’s two EFL fixtures had been cancelled, and now it has been confirmed the remainder of the weekend’s programme – including Cambridge United’s trip to Ipswich Town – will also not go ahead.

The postponements filter down throughout women's football, non-league level and grassroots.

An EFL statement read: “Further to discussions on Friday morning it has been determined that all EFL fixtures from 9-10 September will be postponed as a mark of respect by the national sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

“This is aligned with the approach that the Premier League and the FA will take with their competitions this weekend.

“Further information, in respect of how football, clubs and their supporters will commemorate Her Majesty’s reign will be confirmed at an appropriate point.

“Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course.”

It remains to be seen what decision other governing bodies will take with regards to their matches this weekend after the government announced that it was leaving it up to each individual sport to decide whether they go ahead or not.

A statement from the government read: “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 and this is entirely at the discretion of the 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 services 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.”