British sport in mourning with English events suspended in tribute to Queen

Emergency meeting called on Friday to discuss sport schedule. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: A screen displays a message that play has been suspended following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, during day one of the BMW PGA Championship. 

Sport will hold a day of mourning for the Queen on Friday, with the third Test between England and South Africa, the PGA Championship at Wentworth and other major events being paused for at least a day as mark of respect.

It is understood that several sports, including the Premier League, will hold emergency talks on Friday to discuss whether sport should resume at the weekend – with most hoping to do so depending on the public mood.

Several sports held a meeting on Thursday to discuss plans, with one observer saying part of the talks centred on whether to have a one- or two-day pause to mark the Queen’s death. Another person present said they believed sport would resume on Saturday, although they indicated that all would be mindful of the public mood over the next 24 hours.

The ECB is thought to be looking at a variety of options for the third Test between England and South Africa at the Oval, which range from applying to the ICC to extend the match by an extra day to cancelling it completely. However at this stage it is understood to be more likely that the Test continues this weekend, with a suitable mark of respect.

On Thursday play at the ongoing PGA Championship was immediately suspended for the day after the news broke, with racing at Southwell also stopped.

In Arsenal’s Europa League game at FC Zurich, both sets of players emerged for the second half and gathered around the centre circle for a minute’s silence. Manchester United’s Europa League game with Real Sociedad is going ahead as planned, after the club said in a statement: “Following direction from the FA and Uefa, tonight’s Uefa Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad will take place as planned at Old Trafford.

“A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off which will allow the teams, match officials and everyone in attendance to pay their respects to Her Majesty, The Queen. Both teams will wear black armbands and the flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast as a sign of our utmost respect.” Formula One will hold a minute’s silence across all teams on Friday at the Italian Grand Prix before first practice. In a statement, the sport’s chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, said: “Formula One mourns the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For more than seven decades she dedicated her life to public service with dignity and devotion and inspired so many around the world.

“Formula One sends its deepest condolences to the royal family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

Guardian