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Premier League, EFL 'told games can go ahead this weekend'

Premier League, EFL 'told games can go ahead this weekend'
© Reuters
The government will allow sporting fixtures to go ahead as planned following the death of The Queen, leaving the decision in the hands of the governing bodies.

The UK government has told the Premier League, EFL and Football Association that games will be allowed to go ahead as planned this weekend.

The normal English football schedule was thrown into doubt following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on Thursday afternoon.

Friday's Championship clash between Burnley and Norwich City, and the League Two meeting between Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County, were both postponed in the wake of the news.

Games in Scotland and Northern Ireland were also called off, and it had been expected that Saturday's action would follow suit as the nation enters an official period of mourning, expected to last around 10 days.

However, the government has given the green light for sporting fixtures to go ahead, leaving the decision in the hands of the governing bodies but suggesting the use of black armbands and a silence before matches.

The Premier League, EFL and FA - the latter of which organises the Women's Super League - will hold meetings this morning before announcing their decision.

"The decision as to whether sporting fixtures continue to go ahead is at the discretion of organisers. Organisers may wish to consider using black armbands and observing a silence before matches are played," read part of an official statement titled 'Guidance for the Period of National Mourning'.

In addition to Friday's football matches being postponed, golf's BMW PGA Championship, the second day of the Third Test between England and South Africa, all horse racing meets and Thursday night's Premiership Rugby Cup clash between Northampton Saints and Saracens were all postponed.

However, Friday night's Premiership Rugby fixtures - the first of the new season - and the Super League playoff opener are still due to go ahead as things stand.

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General view of the players during a minutes silence before the match after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth on September 8, 2022
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