The Premier League has confirmed the postponement of the English Premier League Matchday seven fixtures to honor the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The postponement follows the preparation for the burial of the Queen, who died on Thursday, 8th September 2022, with his son Prince Charles III taking over the throne.
Chelsea were expected to open this weekend’s fixtures as they traveled to Craven Cottage with their new manager Graham Potter to take on Fulham. Other fixtures, as scheduled for this weekend include Bournemouth vs Brighton, Leicester vs Aston Villa, Liverpool vs Wolves, Southampton vs Brentford, Manchester City vs Tottenham, and Crystal Palace vs Manchester United.
There was a handwriting on the wall that the Premier League matches scheduled for this weekend may likely be postponed after the news of the Queen’s went viral. All the 20 Premier League clubs immediately sent their condolences to the Royal Family expressing their solidarity with the family after the demise of the queen.
Other football leagues in the UK have already called off their scheduled games in honor of the deceased Queen. The Irish League was the first to call-off its fixtures, followed by other lower division Football Leagues in England.
The Premier League, the elite and highest football league in England, has finally confirmed its decision to call off all the weekend fixtures. In a statement made available on its website, the football organizing body wrote;
“At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to honor her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation and as a mark of respect. This weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening games.”
The body also stated that updates and information regarding the next fixtures amid national mourning of the late Queen will be provided.
“Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the course of mourning will be provided”, the league body announced.
The decision to postpone the Premier League fixtures is a sequel to ‘Operation London Bridge,’ which was immediately invoked by the Royal Family after the Queen’s passing. The Royal Family immediately commenced preparatory burial plans after the Queen was confirmed dead. The burial plan had to be skewed to all the elaborate steps drawn out in ‘Operation London Bridge,’ which was prepared and revised in 1960 while the Queen was alive.
Operation London Bridge details all the series of measures to be observed to lay the world’s longest-serving and iconic Monarch to rest when she is dead. The suspension of all sporting, entertainment, and political events was part of the slated measures. It was therefore evident that the world’s most followed and glamorous football leagues will be postponed.
At the time of filing this report, it is yet unclear how the postponed fixtures will be rescheduled. Premier League clubs face a tough test this season as the matches were scheduled to align to the 2022 World Cup, which comes up in November, the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League fixtures. The postponed matches may likely be rescheduled after the 2022 World Cup.
After the death of the Queen, her son Prince Charles has been officially sworn in as the King of England and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. He is now addressed as King Charles III.
