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| Fans react during the English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Sept. 3. The English Premier League postponed its round of matches as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. AP-Yonhap |
The English Premier League postponed its round of matches as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, adding to the cancellation of high-profile golf, cricket and horse racing fixtures as Britain mourned on Friday.
Top-flight football clubs held a meeting on Friday and said they wanted to "pay tribute to Her Majesty's long and unwavering service to our country."
"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her," Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said, "and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."
The English Football League ― the three divisions below the Premier League ― also called off their games this weekend. The Women's Super League was due to start its season this weekend but has canceled its games, too.
The women's world middleweight title fight between Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields on Saturday was postponed.
Other events called off included cycling's Tour of Britain, which canceled the final three stages, and the third day of horse racing's St. Leger festival in Doncaster. The St. Leger, one of British racing's classics, will take place on Sunday.
Horse racing was the queen's favorite sport.
While Friday's matches in England's top rugby division were canceled, those scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will go ahead as planned.
Football matches in the English Football League and the Scottish lower league scheduled for Friday had already been postponed while matches scheduled to be played in Northern Ireland over the weekend were also canceled.
The Premier League said further updates regarding its fixtures during the period of mourning, which has begun in Britain, will be provided "in due course."
Organizations are having to weigh up factors such as whether holding matches would use up police resources, the desire of broadcasters and the mood of the public.
There is little room in the schedule of this World Cup-affected season to fit in postponed fixtures.
The government said sporting organizations "might wish to consider canceling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral."
The date of the funeral has not been set yet.
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