Add Category
Football matches across the United Kingdom this weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Key points:
- All professional football matches in the UK have been postponed this weekend
- The decision affects the English Premier League and Women's Super League
- Other sporting events will take place, including top-flight rugby union matches
However, many other professional and grassroots sporting events will continue as planned.
In its official guidance, the British government said there was "no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures during the period of national mourning" and that the decision to do so was "at the discretion of individual organisations".
The Football Association later released a statement confirming that all fixtures throughout the football pyramid in England would be postponed "as a mark of respect".
That includes the Premier League, the opening weekend of the Women's Super League, the Football League and all grassroots matches.
"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," an FA statement read.
"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."
Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, said the league "would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty's long and unwavering service to our country.".
"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."
The move was replicated in Wales and Scotland, with Rod Petrie, president of the Scottish FA saying postponing fixtures was "the appropriate step to take".
All football in Northern Ireland was postponed earlier on Friday.
Rugby, parkrun to continue
Some sport though, will continue.
Rugby Union matches in England were postponed on Friday, but matches scheduled for the remainder of the weekend will take place as planned.
"Premiership Rugby has confirmed that as a mark of respect, the two Premiership matches scheduled for [Friday] will be postponed," a statement read.
"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."
Matches will be proceeded by a minute's silence and players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands.
In Wales, however, all senior matches have been postponed.
Community sports will also continue.
Parkrun events are set to take place as usual on Saturday morning, with organisers saying "we believe parkrun events can play an important role in helping us get through challenging times".
It added that some events may cancel, or landowners may request a cancellation.
Sunday's Great North Run is set to take place as planned.
"The event has traditionally been a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people, this year it will be an opportunity for us to come together and express our condolences, while celebrating the life of our extraordinary Queen," a statement from the race organisers read.
It added that the "estimated 25 million pounds" raised for charity by the "thousands of runners" expected to take part was "a fitting tribute to the Queen".
However, "elements of the runner and spectator experience will be more subdued out of respect to the Royal Family."
The ECB confirmed that the match will resume on Saturday, along with all other domestic cricket, including England women's T20 international against India.
All players will wear black armbands for the remainder of the match.
The PGA Championship, the flagship event on the European tour, was paused near the end of the first round on Thursday with 30 players still out on course, with no play taking place on Friday.
The Tour of Britain cancelled its final three stages, while the third day of horse racing's St. Leger festival in Doncaster, one of British racing's classics, was postponed until Sunday.
The government said organisations "might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral," as a mark of respect.