All weekend football fixtures previously scheduled in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been postponed as “a mark of respect,” following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In England, all Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, Women’s FA Cup National League, FA Trophy and all grassroots football matches were postponed, the English Football Association (FA) announced on Friday.
The WSL had been ready for a major launch of its new season, hoping to capitalize on the soaring popularity since the women’s Euros this year.
All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast over the weekend, according to the FA.
It comes as the sporting world responds to the death of the monarch. Horse racing in the United Kingdom has been halted and the second day of the PGA Championship golf tournament has been put on hold.
In Scotland, the Scottish Football Association announced that in conjunction with the Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League, and Scottish Highland and lowland Football Leagues that all professional football matches will also be postponed this weekend.
Scottish FA president Rod Petrie announced the decision in a statement saying that after discussions, “it was agreed that this was the appropriate step to take” after the Queen’s death.
Earlier on Friday, the Northern Ireland Football Association announced this weekend’s fixtures across all affiliated football in the country.
Separately, the English professional rugby union, Gallagher Premiership has postponed Friday’s season opening fixtures, and the Welsh Rugby Union has suspended all senior rugby matches in Wales for the weekend.
