Football fixtures to restart but policing concerns could disrupt schedule after Queen Elizabeth II's death

Football fixtures to restart but policing concerns could disrupt schedule after Queen Elizabeth II's death
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 12/09/2022

- 09:22

Updated: 12/09/2022

- 11:33

Football is set to recommence on Tuesday following the postponement of all the weekend’s fixtures, but policing concerns could cause disruption

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will take place on Monday after her death last week.

Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday, football fixtures were postponed across the country.


They now look set to restart in the week to come – but policing could become an issue with safety protocols.

Millwall are set to play two home games next week, against QPR on Wednesday and Blackpool on Saturday.

Discussions with UEFA are ongoing over the scheduled European fixtures this week involving British clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and European Conference League.

Rangers’ Champions League tie with Napoli has been put back a day to Wednesday, September 14, due to “severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues”.

Away fans will not be permitted for both matches between the two clubs “as a matter of sporting fairness”, according to UEFA.

The Football Association of Wales said all its competitions can resume from Tuesday.

The Premier League resumes on Friday night, when Aston Villa host Southampton and Fulham travel to Nottingham Forest.

In London, Tottenham take on Leicester on Saturday evening, while Brentford play Arsenal and Chelsea are at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

The National Police Chief's Council said in a statement: “We will work with football clubs to try and ensure that, where possible, football fixtures can take place safely when balanced against the requirement to support national events and deliver day-to-day policing.

“This is a unique situation and we are working closely with everyone involved.”

All six Gallagher Premiership matches next weekend will go ahead as planned unless there is a directive from the Government.

The opening round of Premiership fixtures did take place this weekend, although Friday’s two games were pushed back to Saturday and Sunday.

Super League’s play-off semi-finals will be held on Friday (Wigan v Leeds) and Saturday (St Helens v Salford).

A statement reads: “As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Betfred Super League Awards, which was scheduled to take place at Headingley Stadium on the evening of Monday, 19 September will now take place at the same venue on Tuesday, 20 September."

LV= Insurance County Championship matches starting on Monday, England’s women’s ODI games on Tuesday, Thursday and the weekend and the Royal London Cup on Saturday will all go ahead.

Many other sporting occasions went ahead this weekend, offering spectators and participants opportunities to pay their respects.

In the Test match between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval, players wore black armbands and there was a rendition of ‘God Save the King’.

There were also tributes ahead of the Super League Play-Off Eliminator between Huddersfield and Salford as well as Gallagher Premiership matches.

There will be no racing in Britain on the day of The Queen’s funeral.

The British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Saturday evening that the September 19 meetings scheduled for Hamilton, Leicester, Warwick and Wolverhampton would be cancelled as a mark of respect.

Football fixtures look set to return this week
Football fixtures look set to return this week
Nigel French

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Edinburgh
Queen Elizabeth II's coffin in Edinburgh
LEE SMITH

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