Football across the UK resumes early next week in all competitions. Earlier this week, the country’s soccer leagues called off matches due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
Games remain postponed on Monday, including Monday’s Leeds game against Nottingham Forest. However, scheduled matches return to action the next day. This does not include Premier League games. Instead, there are 30 matches scheduled on Tuesday in the Championship, League One and League Two.
“The expectation nationally is that the EFL will be back on Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Sky Sports senior reporter Geraint Hughes. “It’s a big week next week as there is a full program on Tuesday and Wednesday. There are warnings about this as we are still awaiting the date of the Queen’s funeral.”
“It will be a state funeral, so it will be a huge national and international event that will require a lot of resources and a lot of those resources may be needed for sporting events.”
Football in the UK resumes on Tuesday
As far as Premier League club concerns are concerned, most teams remain sidelined until Friday 16th September. Currently, there are no plans in place for match recovery dates. However, it is a challenge for the Premier League, which already has a packed schedule with two months off for the World Cup.
Added to that challenge is the Champions League, as well as the Europa League and the Europa Conference League. The EPL clubs participating in those tournaments have standard games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
United can confirm Thursday’s #UEL visit to Sheriff Tiraspol will take place as scheduled for Thursday.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 9, 2022
“As far as UEFA is concerned, many games next week involve British clubs with the Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Europa League and Europa Conference League on Thursday,” Hughes continued. “As it stands, UEFA’s understanding is that those games will go ahead.”
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Celtic and Rangers will play Champions League games on Tuesday and Wednesday. For their part, Arsenal, Manchester United, West Ham and Hearts resume their European tournaments on Thursday.
UEFA essentially needs these European matches to take place next week. The World Cup in Qatar affected match schedules around the world, especially in Europe. Normally held during the summer months, this version of the World Cup takes place in November and December.
There are two Premier League games currently scheduled for Friday. Aston Villa host Southampton, while Fulham travel to play Nottingham Forest.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Images News
