Why has youth and grassroots football been cancelled near me? Is it because of the Queen’s death

Football across the country has been cancelled in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

The monarch died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle on Thursday (8 September).

Following the death of the Queen, the country has entered a period of mourning.

The official guidance on mourning said that sporting events did not have to be cancelled but it was up to the official bodies to decide.

All football has been cancelled this weekend from Premier League all the way down to amateur and youth football.

Here is all you need to know:

Why has youth football been cancelled?

All grassroots football has been cancelled this weekend.

It follows the death of the Queen on Thursday (8 September).

The nation has entered a period of mourning which will last until Elizabeth II’s funeral - a date has yet to be set but it is expected around Sunday 18 September or Monday 19 September.

A new bank holiday has been declared for the day of the funeral.

What did the FA say?

Premier League, SPL, EFL and Women’s Super League matches have been called off across the country.

Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who was involved in Friday’s meetings with Government, told the PA news agency: “This is a great example of football working in unity. We (the football authorities) all absolutely 100 per cent agree this was the right thing to do to pay our respects.”

The Premier League and EFL confirmed that they were postponing matches scheduled for this weekend.

The Premier League said in a statement: “At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.”

The league’s chief executive Richard Masters said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country. As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.

“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”

The league said further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.

A statement from the Scottish football authorities read: “Following meetings this morning, the Scottish FA, Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League, and Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues have agreed that all professional football matches will be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“This postponement will also incorporate the Women’s Scottish Cup fixtures this weekend.”

SFA president Rod Petrie added: “We spoke with our counterparts across the UK this morning and in discussions with our colleagues across the professional game in Scotland it was agreed that this was the appropriate step to take following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

What does the official guidance say?

Official mourning guidance published by the Government on Friday morning read: “There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.

“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.

“If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.

“As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”