British clubs face Champions League decision after Queen’s death

British clubs may be given the option to rearrange their upcoming Champions League group stage matches following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, while this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures are ‘almost certain’ to be postponed, according to reports. The Queen, the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, died at her Balmoral residence in Scotland earlier on Thursday while surrounded by close members of the royal family.

The news of Her Majesty’s death raised plenty of questions over whether the weekend’s scheduled football matches will go ahead as planned, while the upcoming round of European group stage matches involving English clubs may also be affected. However, it seems as though the sides concerned may be able to rearrange their next continental fixtures, with UEFA likely to give English teams special dispensation to do so.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who are reporting that it would be ‘inconcievable’ for UEFA to not give clubs the option to reschedule next week’s European games. It could be a different story in the Premier League, though, with the upcoming round of domestic fixtures set to be postponed as a mark of respect in the wake of the Queen’s death.

It is said that this weekend’s Premier League games are ‘almost certain’ to be suspended in light of Thursday’s news, while EFL matches originally scheduled to take place on Friday have already been postponed.

JUST IN: The monarch’s royal legacy laid bare as she dies aged 96

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the English clubs that are set to play in Europe next week will ask for their games to be postponed after the death of the Queen, with Buckingham Palace officially announcing that she had died at the age of 96 on Thursday evening. Her remarkable tenure as Head of State spanned a length of 70 years, which included post-war austerity following WWII, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, and the UK’s entry into and exit from the European Union.

UEFA paid tribute to the Queen with a statement that was released later on Thursday, with moments of silence being observed in two of the day’s Europa League matches involving Arsenal and Manchester United.

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“UEFA informs that a moment of silence was observed at matches involving British teams tonight as a mark of respect following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most-respected figures.

“Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.”