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Sporting events scheduled for Friday, including Test cricket and European golf’s PGA Championship, have been cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
British horse racing chiefs also suspended events after the death of the British monarch, who showed an intense passion for the sport throughout her life.
Here is a rundown on which sports are still going ahead after the tragic news.
FOOTBALL
Wednesday morning’s Europa League games involving Manchester United and West Ham United went ahead, with a minute’s silence held at both Old Trafford and London Stadium.
As for this weekend’s English Premier League games, all matches have been postponed “to honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation”, a Premier League statement read.
The EFL said in a statement that “fixtures will be discussed with the Government and the wider sport sector during the period ahead and an appropriate announcement will be made at the earliest opportunity.”
GOLF
Play in the opening round of the European PGA Championship has been suspended and there will be no play at all on Friday following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, organisers said Thursday.
The death of the 96-year-old sovereign, the longest-serving monarch in British history, was announced while Thursday’s first round of the European Tour’s flagship event was still in progress at the Wentworth course, southwest of London.
“Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play has been suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for the remainder of Thursday and flags at Wentworth Club will be lowered to half-mast,” said a European tour statement.
“Furthermore, no play will take place at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday and the golf course and practice facilities will be closed.
“Further updates on the resumption of play will be provided in due course.” England’s Andy Sullivan and Tommy Fleetwood, together with Norway’s Viktor Hovland, were the joint clubhouse leaders at eight under par, after the trio all shot rounds of 64, when play was suspended.
The tournament had been taking place against the backdrop of the bitter civil war in golf sparked by the creation of the ‘rebel’ LIV Tour.
Several players from the Saudi-backed LIV series are competing at Wentworth this week, a decision four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, who has remained loyal to the established European and US PGA tours, said he found “hard to stomach”.
McIlroy shot 68 on Thursday.
CRICKET
Elsewhere, cricket chiefs announced that Friday’s play between England and South Africa in the third Test at the Oval would not take place following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement that updates would be “provided in due course”.
Wednesday’s first day in London was washed out without a ball bowled. The three-match series is locked at 1-1.
“Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Friday’s play between England and South Africa Men at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the (women’s domestic) Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place,” said an ECB statement.
“For fixtures beyond Friday, updates will be provided in due course.”
CYCLING
Cycling’s Tour of Britain has been cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The Queen passed away aged 96 and Tour of Britain organisers responded by calling a halt to the remaining three days of the event.
Spain’s Gonzalo Serrano of Movistar Team was declared the winner of this year’s race as he sat top of the overall standings after Thursday’s fifth stage.
Belgian rider Jordi Meeus had won stage five from West Bridgford to Mansfield in England’s Midlands in a time of 4hr 21min 46sec.
“Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place,” a statement from Tour of Britain organisers said.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with stakeholders and partners in light of operational circumstances, including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time.
“Therefore, the final standings will be taken following the conclusion of stage five on Thursday 8 September. The winner of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain 2022 will be Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar Team).
“Additionally, the respective classification leaders – Tom Pidcock (Dodl by AJ Bell points), Mathijs Paasschens (SKODA King of the Mountains) and Matthew Teggart (Sportsbreaks.com sprints) – will also be declared the winners of those competitions.
“The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, send their deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.”
TENNIS
The US Open will go ahead as planned on Friday, with the tournament instead paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with a moment silence and photo montage ahead of the first women’s semi-final.
A message on Twitter from Wimbledon, where the queen previously served as a patron, read: “We wish to convey our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen.”
FORMULA 1
The Italian Grand Prix will also go ahead as planned at this stage, with Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali saying: “Formula 1 sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”
HORSE RACING
The British Horseracing Authority said the sport was in mourning. “Her Majesty has been one of the greatest and most influential supporters in the history of horseracing,” the BHA said.
“Her passion for racing and the racehorse shone brightly throughout her life”.
The BHA’s statement added: “It is right, therefore, that all racing is suspended for today and tomorrow as we begin to grieve Her Majesty’s passing and remember her extraordinary life and contribution to our sport and our nation.”
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