The decision to postpone all English football matches this weekend following the death of Queen Elizabeth II has been criticized as a “lost chance” to pay honor to the nation’s longest-serving queen.
After the Queen’s death on Thursday at the age of 96, the Premier League canceled this weekend’s games in conjunction with the British authorities.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport informed football administrators on Friday that there was no duty to cancel or postpone athletic events during the national mourning period.
However, the Premier League believed it was appropriate to recognize the Queen for her “extraordinary life and contributions to the nation.”
The Premier League was followed by the Championship, Leagues One and Two in postponing this weekend’s matches.
All amateur Saturday and Sunday leagues, including youth football, in the United Kingdom were canceled.
The England and Wales Cricket Board began England’s third Test against South Africa on Saturday after the first and second days were postponed due to weather and the death of the Queen, respectively.
The concluding Test of the series will be played over three days at the Oval, with a minute of silence held in remembrance of the Queen and the first performance at a sporting event of “God Save the King” – Britain’s new national song now that Charles III is the monarch.
This weekend also marks the return of Premiership rugby union matches, Super League games, the PGA Championship golf competition, and the Great North Run on Sunday.
The headline race at Doncaster will be the St Leger, one of the five English classics, which the Queen’s horse Dunfermline won in 1977. Horse racing, the sport with which the Queen was most intimately identified, will also resume on Sunday.
Peter Crouch, a former Liverpool and England striker, questioned the brief suspension of football by tweeting, “I realize it’s only a game, and some things are far larger, but imagine if all of our games had taken place this weekend.
“Black armbands, observed silences, the national hymn, the playing of the Royal band, etc., to the millions of people across the world watching? Isn’t that a more fitting farewell? ”
‘Ridiculous decision’
On Thursday evening, Manchester United, West Ham, and Arsenal paid respect to the Queen by wearing black armbands and observing a minute of silence during their European matches.
At the London Stadium, West Ham supporters sung “God Save the Queen” throughout their team’s match against FCSB.
The postponements have prevented the rest of English football from displaying a same level of respect.
Piers Morgan, a well-known Arsenal fan, tweeted: “Ridiculous decision. Sporting events should continue. a) The Queen adored sport, and b) It would be fantastic to see/hear big audiences singing the National Anthem in honour to Her Majesty, as West Ham fans did so magnificently last night.”
Gary Neville, a former Manchester United and England defender, agreed with Piers. Sport may express greater respect for the Queen than any other activity.”
Fans were similarly disappointed that they could not pay tribute to the Queen.
The Football Supporters’ Association said in a statement, “We feel football is at its finest when it brings people together during times of great national significance, be they times of pleasure or times of sorrow.
“Our opinion, which we communicated with the football authorities, is that the majority of fans would have loved to attend games this weekend and pay their respects to the Queen with fellow fans.
“Not everyone will agree, therefore there was no perfect decision made by the football authorities, but many fans will feel that football missed an opportunity to offer its own special homage.”
Debbie Hewitt, president of the Football Association and participant in Friday’s meetings with the government, supported the decision.
“This is a fantastic example of football’s collaborative nature. “We are unanimous that this was the proper way to express our respects,” she stated.