The Queen's death sees English Football League discuss postponing fixtures

The UK’s longest-serving monarch passed away at Balmoral yesterday afternoon, aged 96.

Several sporting events scheduled for this weekend have already been postponed as a mark of respect, with the EFL calling-off its two Friday evening games.

League bosses will meet with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and other sports this morning to decide whether the rest of this weekend's matches will follow suit.

Oxford United are due to travel to Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One tomorrow afternoon.

A statement read: "A determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance, in addition to further consultation with DCMS and other sports on Friday morning."  

EFL chair Rick Parry added: “The EFL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II.   

“Over a 70-year reign, Her Majesty proudly served the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with distinction.   

“The Queen had a keen interest in sport including football. Her Majesty attended numerous FA Cup Finals throughout her reign and was an advocate for our national sport through her many years of service.

“The Monarch was at Wembley Stadium in 1966 for perhaps our national game’s most famous moment to present captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy after England beat West Germany to win the World Cup.  

“On behalf of the league and its clubs, we join the rest of the nation and people across the world in mourning the passing of our Queen, Elizabeth II. 

“The thoughts of everybody at the EFL and our clubs are with the Royal Family at this sad time for our country.”

It is less than 18 months since Queen Elizabeth II’s husband The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died aged 99.

United’s League One fixture against Gillingham on April 17, 2021 was moved from its scheduled 3pm slot to avoid clashing with the funeral.