Arsenal's UEFA Europa League fixture against PSV Eindhoven which was pencilled in for Thursday night has been postponed, the club and UEFA have confirmed.
"Our UEFA Europa League home fixture against PSV Eindhoven, scheduled for Thursday 15 September, has been postponed," a statement reads. "The postponement follows liaison between UEFA, the Metropolitan Police and ourselves, after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"We are working with the authorities to reschedule the match and any tickets (including those purchased via Ticket Exchange or received via Ticket Transfer) and/or hospitality packages purchased for this fixture will be valid for the rescheduled date. For any season ticket holders who have sold their ticket via Ticket Exchange or transferred their ticket via Ticket Transfer, your ticket will remain inactive for the rescheduled date."
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With this season's fixture schedule already packed because of the World Cup taking place in the winter, when this game can be rearranged is anybody's guess, especially when taking into consideration that Arsenal are in action nine times alone next month.
So with that in mind, as per UEFA's regulations of the Europa League, here is what could happen next.
Rescheduling
27.01
"If a match cannot start or cannot be played in full, the full or remaining match time is, as a rule, played on the next day, without prejudice to any possible disciplinary measures. For that purpose, the home clubs must conclude all the necessary agreements to ensure that the required facilities are available and can be operated.
27.02
"If the match cannot be rescheduled the next day, the UEFA administration fixes a new date, during a reserve date or other date. The rescheduling may entail exceptions to the regular match calendar.
27.03
"As a rule, a rescheduled match is played at the same venue. If the circumstances require a change of venue, the UEFA administration must approve the alternative venue.
27.04
"In exceptional circumstances and for cases of extreme urgency which may have a significant impact on the running of the competition and to ensure the match is completed, if necessary without spectators, the home club must guarantee a back-up stadium, for approval by the UEFA administration. For emergency back-up stadiums, exceptions can be made to all existing stadium requirements.
27.05
"In all cases, the UEFA administration must approve the venue and fix the new kick-off time taking account of the teams’ needs wherever possible."
UEFA have issued the following statement regarding a new date: "UEFA today announced that the UEFA Europa League tie between Arsenal FC and PSV Eindhoven, originally to be played on Thursday 15 September, has been postponed with a new date to be communicated in due course."
New venue
"If, at any time during the season, the UEFA administration deems that, for whatever reason, a venue may not be fit for staging a match, UEFA may consult the association and club concerned and ask them to propose an alternative venue, in accordance with the UEFA requirements.
"Should such an association and club not be able to propose an acceptable alternative venue by the deadline set by the UEFA administration, UEFA may select an alternative, neutral venue, which may be in the home territory or in the territory of another UEFA association.
"The club concerned will have to make all the necessary arrangements for the staging of the match together with the relevant association and local authorities. In both cases, the costs of staging the match are borne by the home club. The UEFA administration takes a final decision on alternative match venues in due time."
Forfeit?
Last season, Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur had to forfeit their final Europa Conference League match with Rennes as there was no space in the calendar for the game to be rescheduled and Antonio Conte's side lost the game 3-0 en route to being eliminated from the competition.
As the Gunners have only played one Europa League game so far this season, they won't face elimination from the competition even if they had to forfeit the fixture against PSV Eindhoven.
As per UEFA's guidelines: 'All matches are played in accordance with the UEFA Match Calendar. These dates are final and binding on all concerned, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 23.01 to Paragraph 23.03. The following principles apply to this competition:
UEFA Europa League matches are played on Thursdays, apart from the final. Exceptions to this rule can be made by the UEFA administration.
With the dates for the group stage matches to be played on 'final and binding' this suggests that as long as Arsenal are able to play this game before the group stage concludes on November 3, they won't have to suffer the same fate as their north London rivals. Furthermore, the rearranged fixture may not take place on a Thursday as UEFA's administration can make an exception.
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