Queen Elizabeth II: Why English Premier League Fixtures Were Postponed Despite Government Allowing Them Go on

• The English Premier League feared that Queen Elizabeth II was a divisive figure and moments of silence in this weekend's fixtures could have opened her to ridicule
• The organisers, therefore, took the step to postpone the games despite the government having given them the go-ahead to proceed as planned
• Boos and heckles were heard during Arsenal's game against FC Zurich as a moment of silence was being observed for the departed Monarch

New details have emerged as to why the organisers of the English Premier League decided to postpone this weekend's fixtures despite the government giving them a go-ahead.

Football games across the United Kingdom were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday at the Balmoral Castle.

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The demise of the longest-serving Monarch in history has made the nation go into an official mourning period with many activities suspended.

Questions had been raised as to whether the Premier League will continue as initially planned. The government directed the leagues to carry on with their fixtures but left the absolute final decision to their hands.

The Premier League then released a statement which read in part,

Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a meeting this morning.

To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.

The Premier League feared that the Queen was not universally respected

Matt Hughes, a journalist with the Daily Mail, has now opined that the organisers feared there would be backlash from the fans if the fixtures went on as scheduled.

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Concern that tributes to the Queen may not have been universally respected and the potential for global embarrassment if fans were disrespectful was a factor in the decision to call off all football in the U.K. this weekend.

This may have been prompted by the boos that were heard when Arsenal observed a minute of silence in the Europa League game against Zurich FC. The Premier League is supposed to issue further directions on subsequent fixtures.

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Sports Brief had earlier reported that it was a poorly kept secret that Queen Elizabeth II had a soft spot for Premier League side Arsenal.

Whether she actually supported them will never be known as there were other rumours of her being a West Ham United supporter.

The Queen passed on on September 8th, 2022, at the Balmoral Castle, marking the end of the longest-serving Monarchs in history.