Organisers of weekend sporting events to decide on schedules after queen’s death

Organisers of the weekend’s sporting events in the UK are to be left to decide whether to postpone their schedules in the wake of the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

Decisions on whether to go ahead will be made following consideration of official mourning guidance, set to be issued by the UK Cabinet Office.

However, the PA news agency understands it will be left to individual organisations to choose how to proceed and postponements will not be mandatory.

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 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place. For fixtures beyond Friday, updates will be provided in due course. pic.twitter.com/hcQ6CBJ3Wx

— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) September 8, 2022

A meeting involving representatives from sports governing bodies and the Britsh government is scheduled for Friday morning.

However, a number of sporting events listed for Friday have already been postponed following the death of Elizabeth II (96), who was the country’s longest-reigning monarch after serving as head of state for more than 70 years.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced play in the men’s third Test between England and South Africa at The Oval would not take place, while the English Football League postponed two matches: Burnley v Norwich in the Championship and Tranmere v Stockport in League Two.

The sixth stage of the Tour of Britain was initially cancelled before organisers later took the decision to cancel the remaining last two stages and use Thursday’s standings as final classification.

A further update from the @AJBell Tour of Britain. pic.twitter.com/EVl3Wr9WRh

— AJ Bell