Chiefs mulling plans for funeral weekend

GOVERNING bodies will continue to assess any possible impact the Queen’s funeral on September 19 could have with scheduled fixtures and events, the PA news agency understands.

All football fixtures in the UK were postponed this weekend, along with Friday and yesterday’s planned horse racing meetings, as a mark of respect following the Queen’s death on Thursday.

However, many other sporting occasions still went ahead, offering spectators and participants opportunities to pay their respects.

In the Test match between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval, players wore black armbands and there was a rendition of God Save the King.

On day three at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a twominute period of silence was held, while there were also tributes ahead of the Betfred Super League Play-off Eliminator between Huddersfield and Salford as well as

Gallagher Premiership matches.

The official mourning guidance, published by the Government on Friday morning, stated there was no obligation on sports organisations to cancel or reschedule events.

And as it stands, the English Football League programme is scheduled to recommence on Tuesday.

However, PA understands there could be resourcing issues, particularly in respect of policing, associated with some fixtures which will need to be discussed on a fixture-by-fixture basis over the period ahead, in line with each local authority’s Safety Advisory Group protocols.

The opening round of Gallagher Premiership fixtures did take place, with both games which were set for Friday evening pushed back into the weekend.

Further guidance for matches and rugby activity during the remainder of the national mourning period is expected to follow as early as possible next week.

It is understood Premiership clubs again intend to pay tribute to the Queen in the next set of scheduled upcoming games ahead of September 19.

Rugby league’s Super League semi-finals set for Friday and Saturday next week will also go ahead as planned.

PA understands the Super League ‘Man of Steel’ awards which had been scheduled for September 19 are likely to be rescheduled to another week day.

There will be no racing in Britain on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

The British Horseracing Authority confirmed last night that the September 19 meetings scheduled for Hamilton, Leicester, Warwick and Wolverhampton will be cancelled as a mark of respect.