Premier League fixtures are reportedly set to be postposed this weekend as the nation mourns the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
At 6.30pm BST on Thursday evening, Buckingham Palace announced that Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, had passed away at the age of 96.
A statement read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Europa League and Europa Conference League fixtures involving Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United were able to go ahead on Thursday night, with all three teams paying their respects before kickoff with a minute's silence.
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League officials were in talks with the Government on Thursday night to discuss whether this weekend's football schedule should continue.
© Reuters
The report adds that all 20 top-flight teams are expecting this weekend's programme to be cancelled, with an announcement expected on Friday morning.
Friday's Championship fixture between Burnley and Norwich City as well as the League Two contest between Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County have officially been postponed following the death of The Queen.
A statement from the EFL read: "As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II earlier today, the EFL has confirmed that its fixtures scheduled for tomorrow evening (Friday 9 September) – Burnley v Norwich City and Tranmere Rovers v Stockport County - have been postponed.
"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."
© Reuters
The rest of the football pyramid is set to follow suit this weekend, while cancellations across a wide range of other sports have already been announced.
In cricket, day two of the deciding Third Test between England and South Africa at The Oval has been called off, while the DP World Tour group in Golf have confirmed that the BMW PGA Championship has been postponed until further notice.
Elsewhere, Northampton's clash with Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup was cancelled on Thursday evening, while a decision is set to be made on Friday morning to decide whether the Premiership Rugby's opening fixtures of the new season – Bristol vs. Bath and Sale vs. Northampton – will take place.
In Formula One, however, Sunday's Italian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned and a minute's silence will take place before the first practice on Friday, with another expected before the race begins.
Oliver Thomas
