The government earlier advised that no sporting events should take place this weekend – or the day of the Queen’s funeral – but left the final decision to individual organisations. Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and West Ham’s Europa Conference League clash with FCSB at the London Stadium took place on Thursday afternoon with pre-match specials. The Football League of Northern Ireland has announced that Friday night’s games between Cliftonville and Glentoran and Larne and Dungannon have been postponed. The English Football League also confirmed that Friday night’s Championship game between Burnley and Norwich and the League Two game between Tranmere and Stockport have been postponed, while no decision has yet been made on Saturday’s games. The Irish FA has announced that all football in Northern Ireland scheduled for this weekend will not be played. All Premier League 2 matches have been cancelled, as well as the Championship match between Burnley and Norwich. Tonight’s League Two match between Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County has also been postponed. Cricket Friday’s game between England men and South Africa at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place. Rugby Union Northampton have announced the postponement of their Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Saracens scheduled for Thursday evening. The Scottish Rugby Union has postponed all domestic matches this weekend as a mark of respect and the women’s summer international between Scotland and Spain on Sunday is also off. Golf Play was suspended for the day at the BMW PGA Championship and there will be no play on Friday.
However, organizers later revealed they plan to resume at Wentworth this weekend, pending guidance from Buckingham Palace. Formula 1 Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled with a minute’s silence scheduled before Friday practice and another expected before the race. Horse racing The games at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday night were abandoned. The British Equestrian Authority also announced that meetings scheduled for Friday – including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster – were also cancelled. Sport The Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon, is scheduled for Sunday. Organizers canceled the 5k’s sister event on Friday, with a decision on the main race expected on Friday. Cycling Friday’s Tour of Britain stage was immediately canceled and later on Thursday afternoon the rest of the Tour, which was due to finish in the Isle of Wight on Sunday, was canceled altogether.