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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Will the Premier League and EFL be cancelled again next weekend? What police and DCMS have said

The Premier League and English Football League will make a decision on whether or not to fulfil next weekend's fixture schedules.

The top four leagues in English football were halted this weekend as a mark of respect to the Queen, although other sports such as rugby union and cricket have continued to play and pay tributes to the monarch.

It is expected that the EFL's midweek schedule will go ahead as planned along with the European fixtures. However, there had been doubt over next weekend's matches owing to policing and stewarding levels - with the Queen's funeral expected to take place on Monday, September 19.

READ MORE: All weekend EFL games postponed as football pays respect to the Queen

The Met Police have confirmed they will work with their usual partners in the event that fixtures go ahead as scheduled next weekend - with other forces expected to follow suit.

A Met Police statement read: "Whether matches go ahead is a matter for the football authorities. If fixtures do take place, the Met will work with the relevant partners and ensure that appropriate policing plans are in place."

Policing levels were not a barrier to Premier League games being postponed this weekend, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have stated that there is no obligation for leagues to postpone their fixture lists.

A DCMS statement read: "Our guidance will stay the same. There's no obligation to cancel as far as far as the government is concerned. But it's ultimately up to the Premier League and EFL to make those decisions."

Swansea City are due to host Sheffield United at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday night, with the club confirming on Friday that they expect the fixture to go ahead.

Cardiff City travel to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough on the same night while Newport County are at Stevenage in League Two.

The Premier League season is scheduled to resume on Friday night as Aston Villa take on Southampton at Villa Park. Other notable top-flight fixtures next weekend see Manchester United take on Leeds United and Chelsea face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

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