Premier League matches involving Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs could all be played next weekend, after the date for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was confirmed as a bank holiday for the country.
The Premier League had on Friday announced that Matchday VII fixtures this weekend were off, following the passing of Her Majesty – Queen Elizabeth II, and further details about the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch have now been confirmed.
All football games (from the top-flight to the grassroots level) between September 9th and 11th were cancelled, after the Queen passed away aged 96 on Thursday, September 8th – with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all scheduled to play European matches in midweek.
They have been put into doubt, as people are expected to journey to London in the coming days to pay respect’s to Britain’s longest serving monarch, with police manpower likely to be stretched across the country.
Although there is yet to be an announcement from UEFA regarding all of it’s fixtures, Arsenal’s Europa League match on Thursday night at the Emirates Stadium is set to take place, while Chelsea will face RB Salzburg on Wednesday evening in the Champions League.
These matches could now be followed by the return to Premier League action for clubs with the Queen’s funeral looking set to take place on Monday, September 19. King Charles III at his proclamation that the funeral would be marked by a Bank Holiday for the country, indicating that it is likely to take place on the Monday.
The funeral, which could have been held on Sunday, would have clashed with Chelsea’s match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge – now expected to be Graham Potter’s first league game in charge – whilst Arsenal face Brentford in West London, and Tottenham Hotpurs play at home against Leicester City on Saturday evening.
With the dates of the two events not set to clash, there is a high chance that Premier League games will be played over the weekend.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) disclosed that their guidance given before the Premier League’s decision to postpone games would not change. “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.”
The Met Police also revealed that: “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.”
Apex Football News 