Manchester United’s Europa League match against Real Sociedad will go ahead as planned on Thursday night, despite British sport being poised to completely shut down following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96.
Golfing action at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth was suspended ‘until further notice’ when news broke of the Queen’s death at around 6:30pm on Thursday evening.
Tournament organisers later announced that no play would take place on Friday, with the golf and practice facilities remaining closed.
‘Further updates on the resumption of play will be provided in due course,’ the DP World Tour said in a statement.
The England and Wales Cricket Board also announced that there will be no play on Friday at the third Test match between England and South Africa at The Oval. The ECB said they would announce updates on further postponements ‘in due course’.
Arsenal were playing in the Europa League at the time of the Queen’s passing and held a minute’s silence with FC Zurich as they made their way back onto the pitch after half-time. They finished their match, winning 2-1.
Discussions are currently ongoing with the Government regarding whether this weekend’s football fixtures will go ahead and ‘an appropriate announcement will be made at the earliest opportunity’.
Elsewhere, West Ham’s Europa Conference League match against FCSB, due to be held at the London Stadium, will also go ahead as planned on Thursday evening.
Elsewhere, Northampton announced the postponement of their Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Saracens scheduled for Thursday evening.
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.
Racing at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday evening was abandoned.
Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96, with the British sporting schedule set to halt
All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral today after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.
Manchester United’s Europa League tie against Real Sociedad will go ahead as planned tonight
Arsenal and FC Zurich held a minute’s silence after news broke of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Play was also suspended until further notice at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth
The England and Wales Cricket Board also announced that there will be no play on Friday at the third Test match between England and South Africa at The Oval
A Manchester United statement read: ‘Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen.
‘The club recognises her immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world.
‘Everyone connected with Manchester United joins the wider football family in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family.
‘Following direction from the FA and UEFA, tonight’s UEFA Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad will take place as planned at Old Trafford.
‘A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off which will allow the teams, match officials and everyone in attendance to pay their respects to Her Majesty, The Queen. Both teams will wear black armbands and the flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast as a sign of our utmost respect.’
However, as a mark of respect following Her Majesty’s passing this weekend’s football, rugby and cricket fixtures are likely to be postponed over the coming days.
While there is no official mandate from the Government to cancel sporting events, with the decision resting with individual governing bodies, it is expected most fixtures and events will be postponed.
The Premier League said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by The Queen’s death.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty,’ the league said.
Rick Parry, Chair of the EFL, added: ‘Today, the EFL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II.
‘Over a 70-year reign, Her Majesty proudly served the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with distinction.
‘The Queen had a keen interest in sport including football. Her Majesty attended numerous FA Cup Finals throughout her reign and was an advocate for our national sport through her many years of service.
‘The Monarch was at Wembley Stadium in 1966 for perhaps our national game’s most famous moment to present captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy after England beat West Germany to win the World Cup.
‘On behalf of the League and its Clubs, we join the rest of the nation and people across the world in mourning the passing of our Queen, Elizabeth II.
‘The thoughts of everybody at the EFL and our Clubs are with the Royal Family at this sad time for our country.
Manchester United fans watch the news of the Queen’s death on a screen before their game
The Union Flag above Wentworth House flies at half mast following the death of the Queen
The Rugby Football Union posted its own tribute which read: ‘On behalf of the rugby union community in England, all at the Rugby Football Union are very saddened to hear of the death of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and offer our condolences to the whole Royal Family at this time.’
Elizabeth II, 96, was the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years.
The Prince of Wales is now King, having acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother.
In a statement, the Palace said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
The nation will come to a standstill in the coming days to reflect on the Queen’s extraordinary 70-year reign.
The country has started 10 days of official mourning for the Monarch, whose health deteriorated at Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands in recent days.
The Queen was placed under medical supervision on Thursday afternoon with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke of Cambridge, travelling to Balmoral to be at her side.
Across the country, flags will be flown at half-mast and muffled mourning bells will sound.
When King George VI died in February 1952, rugby and hockey fixtures were called off but the football schedule went ahead as planned.
The Queen is pictured greeting Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, this week at Balmoral
Spectators sang ‘Abide with Me’ and the national anthem before kick-off.
All games, including golf, will be banned in the Royal Parks during the national period of mourning.
The Queen’s greatest sporting love has always been horse racing. She read the Racing Post every morning and owns a number of thoroughbred horses.
Jockeys wearing the Royal colours of ‘purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap with gold fringe’ have triumphed in five English Classics and 24 races at Royal Ascot.
2022 was the first time in her reign that the Queen did not attend Royal Ascot, with the exception of the behind-closed-doors meet in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic.
The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Royal Ascot in 2017 – visiting the race meet was always a highlight of the monarch’s year
The royal couple at Ascot in June 1962 as they wave to the crowds from horse-drawn carriage
The Queen presents jockey Frankie Dettori with the prize for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The Queen watched the final day of the June meet on television after mobility issues precluded her from attending in person in her Platinum Jubilee year.
A month later, she sent a message of congratulations to the England women’s football team after they won the European Championship by defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.
A letter circulated by Buckingham Palace read: ‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Championships.
‘It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
‘The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.
The Queen congratulated the England women’s football team on their Euro triumph this year
‘However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
‘It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’
The Queen has been present at other British sporting achievements during her reign.
She presented the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore after England defeated West Germany 4-2 at Wembley to win their one and only men’s football World Cup in 1966.
The Queen presents Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy after England’s 1966 World Cup final win over West Germany at Wembley
The Queen smiles as Germany captain Jurgen Klinsmann lifts the trophy at Euro ’96 in England
Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews receives his medal from Her Majesty after the 1953 FA Cup final
In 1996, she presented Germany captain Jurgen Klinsmann with the European Championship trophy after they beat the Czech Republic in the Wembley final.
She has also presented the trophy to numerous FA Cup-winning captains during her reign with the final being a centrepiece of the sporting year.
The Queen opened the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal before playing a memorable role at the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics.
She played the part of herself alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig at Buckingham Palace before appearing to tumble from a helicopter into the Olympic Stadium.
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