The Cabinet Office has clarified that it is not a requirement for Premier League fixtures and other sporting events to be postponed or cancelled during the national mourning period following the death of the Queen.
The world of sport is paying its respects to the late monarch with Manchester United holding a minute’s silence prior to their Europa League clash with Real Sociedad. Sports fixtures on Friday were postponed in light of the news.
The Premier League is expected to announce today whether United’ s and Manchester City ’s respective fixtures against Crystal Palace and Tottenham this weekend will take place. Now, the Cabinet Office has outlined that sports events are not required to be cancelled but suggested that consideration should be made regarding a number of factors, including the day of the funeral.
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A statement said: “There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. 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.”
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