Chelsea cancel Graham Potter’s first press conference after the death of Queen Elizabeth, with the nation in mourning after the passing of Her Majesty The Queen…Premier League peers follow suit as all top-flight and EFL fixtures CANCELLED this weekend
- Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday evening
- There has been uncertainty over whether sport would take place this weekend
- Graham Potter’s first press conference as Chelsea manager was called off
- The Premier League then announced that all fixtures would be cancelled this weekend
Graham Potter‘s first press conference at Chelsea has been cancelled today as Chelsea do not feel it’s appropriate as the nation enters a period of mourning following the passing of the Queen.
The Premier League confirmed on Friday morning that all games would be called off as a mark of respect and in honour to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty at a meeting this morning, following an earlier Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport call discussing this weekend’s fixtures.
Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, said in a statement: ‘We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
‘As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.
‘This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.’
Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96 on Thursday, with the British sporting schedule set to halt
The Premier League and English Football League have cancelled this weekend’s fixtures
Graham Potter’s first press conference as Chelsea head coach was cancelled on Friday
Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course, while the EFL have also postponed all fixtures this weekend.
The UK government had said there was no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period.
However, they said that the decision is left at the discretion of individual organisations and hinted that they should ‘hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures’ if they decide to go ahead.
Despite being down to individual governing bodies, the chair of the DCMS Select Committee Julian Knight has told TalkSPORT that no sporting events should take place out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II – who passed away peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport earlier on Friday issued their guidance for sporting events this weekend as the country continues to mourn for Queen Elizabeth II
The following statement was shared by the Chief sports reporter for The Times outlining what has been said in regard so sporting fixtures this weekend
A statement from the government read: ‘There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period.
‘This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.’
Aston Villa also postponed their press conference ahead of their trip to Leicester City.
Liverpool and Leeds United meanwhile also confirmed Jurgen Klopp’s press conference wouldn’t be going ahead on Friday.
Cricket, Golf, Rugby League and Rugby Union all appear to be preparing to resume on Saturday.
Villa’s initial 10.45AM media call was delayed to 1.45PM but is expected to be rearranged for later next week.
A club statement from Villa read: ‘Aston Villa Football Club joins the nation and the Commonwealth in mourning the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and would like to express its deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
‘The football club has enjoyed a number of links with The Queen and her family, particularly her grandson, The Duke of Cambridge who is a keen supporter and is occasionally in attendance at first-team matches.”