The Premier League are meeting this morning to discuss the weekend's Premier League fixtures, including Manchester United's trip to Crystal Palace, after the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday evening after a 70-year reign as Britain's longest-serving monarch.
The UK went into mourning over the tragic news that will now lead to many conversations over what happens next, not only in the Royal Family but in the wider world. When Princess Diana died in 1997, Football League fixtures were postponed, and the same could happen now.
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The EFL already confirmed that Friday's fixtures had been postponed, with the DCMS meeting to be followed by a meeting of the Premier League and the EFL to discuss the weekend's matches. Today's press conferences are expected to be cancelled.
DCMS were due to meet at 9am this morning, with the Premier League meeting to follow at around 11am. You can follow live updates from it right here.
United are due to travel to South London this weekend when they take on Palace in a Sunday afternoon 4:30pm kick-off. A decision will be made once the DCMS and Premier League meetings have concluded.
The Cabinet Office have issued guidelines today stating "there is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period".
It added: "This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.
"If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions. As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands."
According to a report from The Guardian, there are "indications from the government that the palace is not keen to have a lengthy period without fixtures or events". That suggests if this weekend's game are postponed, a return to action could be swift.
King Charles has declared 17 days of mourning for the Queen as the official first details of the palace condolences are confirmed. Following the death of the Queen, the new King has announced that a period of Royal Mourning will be observed until seven days after the Queen’s funeral. The date of the funeral is yet to be confirmed but it is believed to take place ten days after the Queen’s death.
That would see the funeral held on Sunday, September 18.
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