Policing Issues Lead To Further Football Cancellations
Two of the Premier League’s biggest weekend’s matches were called off because of policing issues connected to the Queen’s funeral. Manchester United’s home match against Leeds and Liverpool’s away game to Chelsea will be played at a later date. Arsenal’s Europa League tie at home to PSV will now be held on Thursday.
Seven of the ten Premier League fixtures due to be played from Friday will go ahead. The English Football League is reportedly confident most of its weekend games will also be fulfilled, following assurances about policing levels at its matches.
In a statement the Premier League has said it had no option but to postpone three fixtures after extensive consultations with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities.
There are two matches that have had their kick-off times moved: Brentford v Arsenal on Sunday becoming a noon kick-off, and Everton v West Ham now at 2.15pm. Because of an international break starting after this weekend, Leeds are due to go from 3rd September to 2nd October without a match. Brighton and Palace are facing almost identical situations, when their initial tie was postponed due to train strikes, but has since been halted due to available policing numbers also.
The midweek Champions League matches involving Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool are due to take place. UEFA has said it that unfortunately it had no option but to call off Arsenal v PSV, citing “to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” as the reason. The game has yet to be rescheduled.
The EFL confirmed that its midweek fixture programme would return as scheduled on Tuesday, with “A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the national anthem to be played in stadiums.”
On Monday the Football Association said that all football at all levels was now clear to return, though all matches scheduled for next Monday’s new Bank Holiday would be postponed.
The Premier League have released a statement saying fixtures will resume this weekend after a pause to the season as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Seven of the 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played, with three games postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral. In addition, kick-off times will change for two Premier League matches.
“Games postponed on Sunday, 18th September are Chelsea FC’s game against Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester United’s home match versus Leeds United. Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s fixture against Crystal Palace FC, due to be played at 3pm on Saturday, 17th September, will also remain postponed.
“Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.
“The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to liaise with them ahead of the weekend.
“For the matches being played during the period of National Mourning, tributes will be paid to The Queen at Premier League stadiums.
“New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.”
