British horse racing paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday as the late monarch’s favorite sport returned after a two-day pause following her death. Two minutes of silence was held at Doncaster before the first race of a schedule that included the St. Leger flat-racing classic, which the queen’s horse Dunfermline won in 1977 for one of her most prestigious victories.
Honouring Her Majesty Players and match officials will wear black armbands as a mark of respect and, together with managers, will gather at the centre circle before kick-off. Fans will be asked to join a minute’s silence, which will be followed by the National Anthem, God Save The King. Big screens and LED perimeter boards will display tribute images to Her Majesty and flags at the grounds will be flying at half-mast. When the clock turns to 70 minutes, fans will be invited to applaud The Queen’s 70-year reign.
the huge crowds descending on London to pay their respects as the Queen lies in state have seen Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea and Manchester United’s clash against Leeds called off. Brighton’s meeting with Crystal Palace had previously been postponed due to a rail strike affecting supporters and will not go ahead despite the industrial action being called off. The football authorities were met with criticism from fans’ groups after matches at all levels were called off at short notice last Friday in the wake of the Queen’s death. Cricket, rugby, golf and horse racing were among the many other sports to go ahead that weekend with tributes paid and rousing versions of the ‘God Save the King’. Football has its chance over the coming days to follow suit, with the national anthem to be played before all seven Premier League matches. There will also be a minute’s silence before the games and fans have been encouraged to applaud in the 70th minute to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. – Top three can pull away –
“Fans will be asked to join a minute’s silence, which will be followed by the National Anthem,God Save The King. “Big screens and LED perimeter boards will display tribute images to Her Majesty and flags at the grounds will be flying at half-mast. When the clock turns to 70 minutes, fans will be invited to applaud The Queen’s 70-year reign.”
The fixtures between Manchester United and Leeds and Chelsea and Liverpool will not take place this coming weekend. Crystal Palace vs Brighton is also not taking place having earlier been postponed due to a planned train strike, which has now been cancelled. The matches were scheduled to take place on Sunday, with kick-off at Old Trafford set for 2pm and Stamford Bridge for 4.30pm. Around 10,000 police offers are needed in London for safety reasons over the 10-day mourning period for Elizabeth II, as several public events will take place.
The Premier League have also confirmed two games have been moved. Brentford’s home game against Arsenal will now take place at 12pm and Everton will face West Ham at Goodison Park at 2:15pm, with both games taking place on Sunday. A Premier League statement on the postponements read: “Premier League fixtures 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 Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played, with three matches postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral.
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