Several sporting events in the UK have been postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Cabinet Office will issue mourning guidance to determine further postponements, but organizers have the final say. Football, cricket, rugby, golf, horse racing, and cycling events have already been affected. Stay updated for rescheduling information.
Sporting Events Impacted by Passing of Queen Elizabeth II
( Credit to: Ca )
Sporting events across the UK have been impacted by the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Following her death, several matches and events have been postponed as a mark of respect. The Cabinet Office is set to issue official mourning guidance, which will determine further postponements in the sporting calendar. However, it will be up to the organizers of these events to decide how to proceed, and postponements will not be mandatory.
A meeting between representatives from sports governing bodies and the government has been scheduled for Friday morning to discuss the situation. In the meantime, here are some of the matches and events that have already been affected by the news.
Football Matches Postponed
In football, the English Football League confirmed the postponement of the Championship game between Burnley and Norwich, as well as the League Two match between Tranmere and Stockport. Manchester United's Europa League clash with Real Sociedad and West Ham's game against FCSB in the Europa Conference League went ahead with pre-match tributes.
Cricket and Rugby Union Postponements
Cricket has also been impacted, with Friday's play between England and South Africa men at The Oval canceled. Additionally, all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy have been called off.
Rugby Union has seen the postponement of Northampton's Premiership Rugby Cup match against Saracens. The Scottish Rugby Union has also decided to postpone all domestic competitive games this weekend, including the women's summer Test international between Scotland and Spain.
Mixed Impact on Rugby League, Golf, and Horse Racing
In Rugby League, Friday's Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams has been postponed. However, the first Super League elimination play-off between Catalans Dragons and Leeds will go ahead as planned.
The BMW PGA Championship in golf has seen play suspended for the day, with no play scheduled for Friday. Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix will proceed as planned, with a minute's silence expected before practice and the race.
Horse racing has also been affected, with meetings at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday evening abandoned. The British Horseracing Authority announced the cancellation of meetings scheduled for Friday, including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster.
Uncertainty in Cycling and Great North Run
In cycling, Friday's stage of the Tour of Britain has been canceled, and a decision on the rest of the tour is yet to be made.
The Great North Run, the world's largest half-marathon, is set to take place on Sunday. However, the organizers have canceled the 5k sister event on Friday, and a decision regarding the main race is expected to be made soon.
Conclusion
As the nation enters a period of mourning for the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the sporting world joins in paying tribute to her legacy and influence. The rescheduling of events will depend on the official mourning guidance issued by the Cabinet Office. Stay tuned for further updates on the impacted sporting calendar.