Private schools criticised for football match despite FA order following The Queen's death

Two private schools including one in Lancashire have come in for criticism after they reportedly took part in a football game despite matches all being cancelled following the death The Queen.

The Football Association (FA) ordered that no matches at all levels including the grassroots should be played this weekend, September 9-11, as a "mark of respect" for Britain's longest-serving monarch who they said had "left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game."

However a match between two fee-paying schools, Eton in Berkshire and Rossall, in Fleetwood, Lancs appeared to still take place after the latter school tweeted about the games, the Mirror reports.

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Eton say they believed the games "were not covered by the FA postponement as they were not FA fixtures".

Rossall's tweet, which has now been deleted, showed the footballers paying their respects for the Queen. "Following their visit to Windsor Castle, our senior boys' teams paid their respects in the same way in their fixtures against Eton," read Rossall's tweet.

According to Rossall's fixture list, two games against Eton were scheduled to take place on Saturday at 2:30pm. Those fixtures were also visible on Eton's website.

"All at Eton College mourn the death of Her Majesty the Queen, remember with gratitude her extraordinary service and offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family," read a statement from Eton College. "The whole school gathered together on Friday morning to pay their respects and chapel services were held.

"Two friendly football games were played with Rossall School on Saturday. A minute’s silence was observed by