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Sporting events called off following the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Sporting fixtures this weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

All football has been postponed, including non-league football in Kent and grassroots games across the county.

Sporting events have been postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Picutre: Barry Goodwin
Sporting events have been postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Picutre: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham's League 2 game at Crawley, Maidstone's clash with Solihull in the National League plus the top two clash in National League South between Havant and Ebbsfleet were all due to take place.

A statement by the FA released on Friday morning said: "As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September.

"This follows Government guidance, which encourages sporting organisations to show respect in an appropriate way.

"The FA can confirm that all football fixtures across the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed this weekend. We can also confirm that all football fixtures across the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid (WFP], Tiers 3-7 (SCEFL), and matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed.

"All flags at Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast over the weekend.

"Our thoughts remain with our president, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and the whole of the Royal Family during this time."

It means Isthmian Premier, FA Trophy and Southern Counties East matches are also postponed, along with the start of the Kent Youth League which was due to get under way on Sunday.

Rugby is still due to take place, with Canterbury taking on Tonbridge Juddians in National League 2 East. Canterbury say "A minute of silence will be observed prior to kick-off in memory of Her Majesty for her kindness, warmth, dedication and duty to this country and The Commonwealth."

The second day of the Third Test, due to take place at The Oval on Friday, between England and South Africa was called off last night.

Greyhound racing due to take place at Crayford on Saturday has been cancelled.

A statement said: "As a mark of respect to her majesty and the royal family, we have taken the decision to cancel our race meetings on Saturday 10th September."

Sunday's Great North Run will go ahead as planned.

A statement said: "The event has traditionally been a celebration of the extraordinary achievement of ordinary people, this year it will be an opportunity for us to come together and express our condolences, while celebrating the life of our extraordinary Queen.

"The thousands of runners taking part are expected to raise an estimated £25million pounds in much needed charitable donatons, a fitting tribute to the Queen, who lived her life in the service of our country and its people."

All horse racing has been cancelled on Friday and Saturday.

The British Horseracing Authority said: "As an ongoing mark of respect it has been determined that, alongside the cancellation of fixtures on 8 and 9 September, all racing will also be cancelled tomorrow, Saturday 10 September, Scheduled fixtures and racing events will return on Sunday 11 September.

"An additional day of racing at Doncaster will also be scheduled for Sunday 11 September, to ensure that the Cazoo St Leger and other important races lost as result of the cancellations can take place.

"However, the fixture scheduled for Musselburgh racecourse on Sunday will be cancelled as a mark of respect for the fact that the Queen's body will be lying in rest in Edrinburgh."

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