Football fans have reacted strongly to what they perceive to be a ‘classist’ move to stop matches as a sign of respect for the Queen while other sports continue.
Next weekend’s matches may also be canceled out of concern that police will be dangerously overstretched in advance of The Queen’s burial on September 19.
The security operation surrounding the burial is likely to be the largest in British history, including approximately 10,000 police officers every day, as millions of people travel to London to pay their respects to the longest-reigning monarch in the country.
The police and security forces are meeting to discuss funeral arrangements and the days preceding the funeral.
If they determine that police will be dispersed too thinly, they could recommend that football games be postponed for an additional week.
As part of the extensive security operation, the Metropolitan Police have announced that highways in a substantial portion of central London would be closed prior to the funeral.
Fans have stated that working-class people are being unfairly penalized by the cancellation of games while other sports continue.
While all football games are canceled, cricket, rugby league and union, golf, and other sports continue, which has prompted criticism.
Reportedly, the decision to cancel Premier League games was influenced by concerns that football supporters may show The Queen disrespect.
Thousands of police officers are anticipated to be part in the funeral security operation, and there are concerns that next weekend’s football matches may be understaffed as a result.
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On Thursday, a moment of silence was observed prior to kickoff between West Ham United and FCSB, and fans sung God Save the Queen throughout the match.
Was it necessary to suspend Premier League football? The working class struggles with the expense of living crises and the mental health consequences of a lack of “relief from life stresses.”
I am not a fan of Queen Elizabeth or the old-fashioned monarchy, but this is irrelevant.
— Ryan Colaco (Ryan C™) #BLM (@Ryan Colaco) September 10, 2022
This is exactly what the queen would have wanted, making the life of the working class a little more difficult.
— dan ☭ (@dnmphy) September 9, 2022
One fan stated, “Cricket, Rugby, Horse Racing, and Golf are all proceeding, but the working man and woman’s sport will be denied to them due to the greed of a few at the top.”
Someone else remarked, “Why did we cancel Premier League football?” The working class struggles with the expense of living issue and the mental health repercussions of a lack of “life stress relief.”
The majority of other forms of public entertainment, including theaters, pubs, and cinemas, are continuing as usual, with a moment of silence held prior to many events.
Thursday during West Ham’s Europa Conference League match against FCSB, fans of the East London team sang God Save the Queen in honor of the late king.
A moment of silence was observed before to the start of the game.
Peter Crouch spearheaded the opposition to the cancelled matches, stating that spectators paying tribute to The Queen prior to kickoff would be a “better send off.”
The former Liverpool and England striker stated on Twitter, ‘I realize it’s just a game, and some things are far larger, but imagine if all of our games this weekend went ahead.
“Black armbands, observed silences, the national anthem, the Royal band playing, etc. for the millions of people around the world who are watching?
Isn’t that a more fitting farewell?
‘
Others, such as Piers Morgan and Gary Neville, have also argued that the cancellation was unnecessary.
TV host Morgan slammed the ‘stupid choice,’ while former Manchester United player Neville remarked, ‘Sport can exhibit the Queen’s due respect better than most.’
The FSA informed football officials that the cancelled events deprived spectators of the chance to pay tribute to the Queen before to kickoff.
Gary Neville and Piers Morgan criticized the decision made by the Premier League on Friday afternoon.
The Premier League released a statement explaining that the postponement was made to honor Queen Elizabeth’s “extraordinary life and service to the nation.”
A representative for the FSA stated, ‘We believe that football is at its finest when it brings people together during times of great national significance, be they times of pleasure or of sorrow.
“Our position, which we conveyed 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 this was a missed opportunity for the sport to pay its own unique homage.
This weekend, the Football Supporters’ Association will, as usual, compile information regarding fan entitlements for expenses incurred due to postponed games.
Yesterday, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport stated that there was “no requirement” to reschedule athletic events and that any choice was “at the discretion of individual organisations.”
The Premier League, the most lucrative football league in the world, announced on Friday that all matches this weekend will be postponed “To honor [The Queen’s] amazing life and commitment to the nation, and as a sign of respect.”
The FA then stated that all games in England, including those at the grassroots level, would be canceled.
The Metropolitan Police were reached out to for comment.