Peter Crouch criticises FA's decision to cancel football

‘Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem – isn’t that a better send off?’ Peter Crouch joins Twitter backlash against FA’s decision to cancel football this weekend out of respect for the Queen as other sporting events go ahead

• Sporting fans have criticised the Football Association for postponing fixtures
• The Great North Run, test cricket and golf all continued throughout the weekend
• Horse racing continued, with the St Leger festival at Doncaster Racecourse 
• Rugby’s Betfred Super League play-off semi-finals will go ahead but awards night, due to be held on day of the Queen’s funeral, is delayed until day after
• The FA announced that all games including grassroots matches were postponed
• Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing

Sporting fans have criticised the Football Association for postponing fixtures this weekend following the death of the Queen, as the Great North Run, test cricket, horse racing, rugby and golf all continued.

All Premier League and English Football League matches this weekend were postponed as a mark of respect.

All games in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and Women’s FA Cup were also postponed this weekend, along with Friday and Saturday’s planned horse racing meetings.

The Scottish Football Association announced the postponement of all professional games over the course of the weekend, while all football in Northern Ireland and Wales was also off.

Former England footballer Peter Crouch has criticised the decision, and said that football matches could have been a place for Brits to come together and mourn the loss of the Queen.

It comes as 60,000 people ran the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields in the Great North Run, which was ‘held in a subdued form’.

Horse racing, cricket, rugby and golf also continued over the weekend, with silences held and black armbands worn.  

Former England footballer Peter Crouch has criticised the decision, and said that football matches could have been a place for Brits to come together

The former footballer said on Twitter: ‘I know it’s only a game and some things are much bigger but imagine all our games went ahead this weekend. 

‘Black armbands, silences observed, national anthem, Royal band playing etc to the millions around the world watching? Isn’t that a better send off?’

The former striker’s views have been widely shared, with other people questioning the FA’s decision to postpone while other sporting bodies continued their events.  

Others, including Piers Morgan and Gary Neville, also pitched in to argue the cancellation was unnecessary.

TV host Morgan lashed out at the ‘ridiculous decision’ while former Manchester United player Neville added: ‘Sport can demonstrate better than most the respect the Queen deserves.’

Tributes were paid to the Queen at round one of the Gallagher Premiership between  Gloucester Rugby and the Wasps at Kingsholm

Fans’ group The FSA told football authorities the cancelled fixtures were a missed opportunity for fans to pay tribute to the Queen ahead of kickoff.

‘So, all football matches were cancelled this weekend, reportedly as a mark of respect for the Queen,’ one critic said. ‘Meanwhile, cricket, rugby and golf continued as normal. A huge error by the FA. No surprises there.’ 

‘Seems like everything from cricket to the Great North run is going ahead this weekend but football in cancelled,’ another said.

‘Tributes at football matches are up there with the best in sport – I personally feel the game is missing a great opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s life.’ 

Around 60,000 runners pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II by observing a moment of silence at the start line

The Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon, was held in a ‘subdued’ form today

A spokesperson for the FSA said: ‘We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance – be those moments of joy or moments of mourning.

‘Our view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most supporters would have liked to go to games this weekend and pay their respect to the Queen alongside their fellow fans.

‘Not everyone will agree, so there was no perfect decision for the football authorities, but many supporters will feel this was an opportunity missed for football to pay its own special tributes.

‘As usual, the Football Supporters’ Association will be collating advice about supporters’ entitlements regarding expenses incurred relating to postponed games this weekend.’

Many other sporting occasions including cricket and golf went ahead, offering spectators and participants opportunities to pay their respects.

Jockey Frankie Dettori during two minutes of silence before the first race at the St Leger at Doncaster

Jockeys in black armbands observed a two minutes silence before the singing of The National Anthem

This morning 60,000 took part in the Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon.

Organisers said it would be held in a ‘subdued form as a mark of respect to the royal family,’ Radio 4 reported. 

The traditional Red Arrows fly-past and display was cancelled this year. Instead, a minute’s silence was followed by a rendition of the national anthem before the race began. 

‘Thank you to the thousands of runners, and spectators, who respectfully came together today under the very sad and special circumstances in which the Great North Run took place,’ organisers said in a statement.

‘It was a fitting tribute to the Queen, to honour her life and service, whilst also celebrating people raising much needed funds for worthy causes.’

Horse racing resumed today, with a two minute’s silence before the St Leger at Doncaster. 

Jockeys wore black armbands and sang the national anthem before the racing began.  

In the Test match between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval, players wore black armbands and there was a rendition of God Save the King.

On day three at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a two-minute period of silence was held, while there were also tributes ahead of the Betfred Super League Play-Off Eliminator between Huddersfield and Salford as well as Gallagher Premiership matches.

The official mourning guidance, published by the Government on Friday morning, stated there was no obligation on sports organisations to cancel or reschedule events. 

In the Test match between England and South Africa at the Kia Oval, players wore black armbands and there was a rendition of God Save the King

The Oval test match went ahead after a minute’s silence was held in the London venue 

It comes as UEFA reschedules the Rangers’ Champions League tie with Napoli for Wednesday, September 14.

The tie, originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday, September 13, has been moved back due to ‘severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues’ following The Queen’s death and away fans will not be permitted for both legs, UEFA said.

The Betfred Super League play-off semi-finals will go ahead as planned on September 16 and 17, it has been announced.

Wigan will play Leeds at the DW Stadium on Friday, September 16 and St Helens will face Salford at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday, September 17.

A Super League statement read: ‘Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace that the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19 September, Super League can confirm that the Betfred Super League play-off semi-finals, scheduled for Friday 16 and Saturday 17 September, will proceed as arranged.’

The awards night, which was due to take place on the day of the Queen’s funeral, has been rescheduled for the following day.  

On day three at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a two-minute period of silence was held

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland warms up prior to Day Four of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club

In a statement confirming the weekend’s postponements, the Premier League said further updates regarding fixtures during the period of mourning will ‘be provided in due course’.

It is understood that the position has not changed following confirmation The Queen’s funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on September 19, which will be a public Bank Holiday.

The next set of Premier League games are on Friday night, when Aston Villa host Southampton and Fulham travel to Nottingham Forest.

In London, Tottenham take on Leicester at 5.30pm, while Sunday’s fixtures see Brentford play Arsenal at 2pm while Chelsea are at home to Liverpool in the 4.30pm live broadcast slot.

Discussions with UEFA are ongoing with regard to the scheduled European fixtures next week involving British clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and European Conference League.

As it stands, the scheduled English Football League programme is set to recommence on Tuesday.

However, it is understood that there maybe resourcing issues, particularly in respect of policing, associated with some fixtures. 

Millwall are set to play two home games next week, against QPR on Wednesday and Blackpool on Saturday.

The opening round of Gallagher Premiership fixtures did take place, with both games which were set for Friday evening pushed back into the weekend.

Further guidance for matches and rugby activity during the remainder of the national mourning period is expected to follow as early as possible next week.

There will be no racing in Britain on the day of The Queen’s funeral.

The British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Saturday evening that the September 19 meetings scheduled for Hamilton, Leicester, Warwick and Wolverhampton will be cancelled as a mark of respect. 

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