Premier League clubs fear more games will be postponed next weekend

Premier League clubs are fearful of losing further fixtures next weekend due to policing and logistical issues after deciding to postpone the entire programme this weekend as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth.

The clubs met in London on Friday morning and heard the league’s board unanimously recommend the postponement of the most immediate round – a move at odds with most other major sports, who have decided to play on.

The motion was debated, with some clubs wondering whether it would be better to pay tribute to the queen by staging the matches with appropriate gestures and messaging, although it was accepted by them all.

The intention is to resume next weekend but with the funeral expected to take place around the following Monday, there are concerns from the clubs that the massive police operation required in the build-up as well as on the day could impact on their ability to get matches away safely – especially in London.

Nicky English: We could be in for a high-scoring free-for-all with Cork v Tipperary

---

Irish Olympian Jack Woolley: ‘We’ve sat in saunas and not drank water for two days’

---

It’s raining metaphors at Manchester United amid soggy aftermath of underinvestment

---

Joe Canning: Cork will need to reproduce their best to clear tricky Tipp hurdle

---

Tottenham are scheduled to face Leicester on Saturday at 5.30pm with Brentford hosting Arsenal on the Sunday at 2pm and Chelsea hosting Liverpool later that day at 4.30pm.

Brighton’s home game against Crystal Palace, scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, had already been postponed because of the upheaval caused by a planned train strike. However, the industrial action has now been called off out of respect to the queen.

There is the acknowledgment that losing one round of games is a headache in an already congested calendar but two would present acute challenges. Therefore, the league and the clubs would try to get away whichever matches they could next weekend, with the feeling being that a partially completed round would be better than no round at all.

The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) believes British football has squandered an opportunity to pay tribute to the queen by postponing all matches this weekend.

Whereas sports including golf, cricket, golf, rugby union and league are going ahead, there will be no football in England this weekend, with all matches from the Premier League to grassroots level postponed. Schools’ football has also been suspended in England from Friday until Sunday with the English Schools’ Football Association advising its members not to play.

Professional games in Scotland have also been postponed but grassroots football will be played as normal. All matches in Wales have been called off and the only game taking place in Northern Ireland is Friday night’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash between Derry City and Bohemians at the Brandywell.

The FSA, which represents fans in England and Wales, encouraged football authorities to proceed with matches so that fans could pay respect to the queen, as they did at West Ham and Manchester United on Thursday in European competition fixtures. But the request was rejected, leaving children without a game, bringing further congestion to a condensed fixture schedule and costing fans who have paid for travel and accommodation for matches.

“We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance – be those moments of joy or moments of mourning,” said the FSA in a statement.

“Our view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most supporters would have liked to go to games this weekend and pay their respect to the Queen alongside their fellow fans.

“Not everyone will agree, so there was no perfect decision for the football authorities, but many supporters will feel this was an opportunity missed for football to pay its own special tributes.

“As usual, the Football Supporters’ Association will be collating advice about supporters’ entitlements regarding expenses incurred relating to postponed games this weekend.” – Guardian