The fight was set to take place in London on Sunday, less than 24 hours before Queen Elizabeth II’s royal burial.
The Premier League has rescheduled the match between Chelsea and Liverpool for Sunday owing to “activities surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s burial.”
The game was slated to begin at 4.30 p.m. at Stamford Bridge in west London, less than 24 hours before the Queen’s burial in the UK capital.
Both occurrences necessitate significant resources from the Metropolitan Police, and the Premier League confirmed the game’s cancellation during a meeting on Monday afternoon.
It is the second football match in London to be postponed in as many hours, after Arsenal’s Europa League encounter against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, planned for Thursday evening, was also canceled earlier on Monday for identical reasons.
The Premier League has confirmed that the other two London-based games scheduled for this weekend – Tottenham vs. Leicester on Saturday evening and Brentford vs. Arsenal on Sunday afternoon – will go ahead.
Those games do not necessitate the same level of police as the normally heated Chelsea vs. Liverpool fixture.
Outside of the city, Sunday’s cross-Pennine derby between Manchester United and Leeds has also been canceled, as has Brighton vs Crystal Palace, which had earlier been postponed owing to scheduled train strikes, despite the strikes being canceled.
The Premier League’s announcement, however, indicated the remaining seven encounters this weekend will go on, stating: “Premier League fixtures will resume this weekend after a halt in the season as a gesture of respect following Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.”
“Seven of this weekend’s ten Premier League games will be played, with three games postponed owing to activities surrounding The Queen’s burial.” In addition, kick-off times for two Premier League games will vary.
“Games postponed on Sunday 18 September are Chelsea FC’s home encounter against Liverpool FC and Manchester United’s home fixture against Leeds United.” Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s match against Crystal Palace FC, scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 September, has also been postponed.
“Following lengthy discussions with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups, and other relevant agencies, the three fixtures had to be postponed.”
“The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces throughout the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their assistance throughout this process, and we will continue to work with them in the lead-up to the weekend.”
“Tributes to The Queen will be paid at Premier League venues for matches played during the period of National Mourning.” In due course, new dates for the postponed matches will be revealed.”
The #PL will resume this weekend after a pause to the season as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Seven of the 10 Matchweek 8 fixtures will be played, with three postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral.
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2022
