She was a wonderful monarch but an exceptional person.
The words of Leah Williamson as the England Women captain joined those around the globe in mourning the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Football paused this weekend, but it has not stopped the tributes pouring in to the Queen following her death at the age of 96.
The Queen’s presence was a golden thread running through sport and both the Premier League and EFL matches were called off this weekend as a mark of respect.
The UK Government issued advice earlier on Friday that individual sports can decide themselves if sporting events can take place, providing they are done in a respectful manner.
The Premier League say a further update of fixtures on the weekend of September 17 and 18 – which also fall during the period of National Mourning – will be made in due course.
National League football fixtures have also been postponed this weekend out of respect. The non-League tiers join the Premier League, EFL and grassroots football in postponing their matches. The National League will, at this moment, return from Monday September 12.
The Women’s Super League fixtures set for this weekend have also been called off, as English football unites in tribute. The WSL was due to begin its first round of fixtures of the new season from Saturday.
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at 11am on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey, it has been announced. When and how football recommences depends on resources around this date.
FIFA statement on death of The Queen
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing is a huge loss to football, to our society, and to the world,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“To our sport, The Queen was present in England’s proudest footballing moment, when she presented the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore after winning the 1966 FIFA World Cup on home soil, and her support for football spans a lifetime.
“To society, The Queen was a Head of State for a number of FIFA’s Member Associations, and was an active patron of football across the United Kingdom and a supporter of our sport throughout the Commonwealth.
“To the world, our football community laments the loss of a global leader who engaged and encouraged everyone she met, and on behalf of football across the world, our thoughts are with the royal family at this most difficult time.”
