Football’s Premier League, cricket’s County Championship and rugby’s Gallagher Premiership will not cancel any upcoming events this weekend following the death of Prince Philip.
Each organisation has stated their sadness at the news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing, and laid out plans to honour him over the upcoming weekend of sport.
The FA has stated that players across all four divisions will wear black armbands and honour a minute’s silence before kick-off in every fixture tonight and across the weekend.
“Following the sad passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, The FA has sought guidance from the Royal Household and Her Majesty’s Government,” said a statement.
“We can confirm all football fixtures this evening and over the weekend [10-11 April] can continue at the discretion of competition organisers. The FA will be recommending that black armbands are worn and a minute’s silence is observed before matches are played, including tonight’s England women’s international fixture in France.
“As a mark of respect, all flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will fly at half-mast and the Wembley arch will also be lit.”
Similarly, there will be a two minutes silence at the start of every rugby match involving Gallagher Premiership clubs this weekend in memory of Prince Philip.
Meanwhile, the County Championship today held a two minute silent reflection to honour the duke who died aged 99.
The Duke of Edinburgh was well-known for his love of cricket.
The decision not to cancel any events may come as a surprise, considering that after Princess Diana’s death in 1997, sport was suspended across the UK, including top football fixtures.
This weekend’s Grand National will go ahead, with jockeys and trainers at Aintree spending a moment in silent reflection before the start of today’s racing, Prince Philip being the former honorary patron of the Jockey Club.
The British Olympic Association also paid tribute to a man who was both the father and grandfather of Team GB athletes, Zara Phillips winning team eventing silver at London 2012.
“It is with great sadness that the British Olympic family learns of the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh,” said president Sir Hugh Robertson.
“I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and especially to our President HRH The Princess Royal. The thoughts of the nation are with them all at this time.”
Featured image by Daniel Norin on Unsplash
