Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven: Europa League game postponed due to police problems after the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Arsenal’s Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven has been postponed as the English football calendar struggles with the aftershocks of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

The restrictions on police resources were cited as the reason for the UEFA postponement, with thousands of people from the UK and beyond expected to travel to London ahead of the late Queen’s state funeral on Monday. No replacement date has been announced for the match and finding space for the postponed games across the country promises to be a serious test for the English Football Association (FA) and the Premier League in a season bisected by the World Cup in Qatar .

No date has been set for the match to take place again and sources at Arsenal confirmed to CBS Sports that initial talks had only just begun. Mikel Arteta’s squad currently has no break of more than four days between games before players leave for the World Cup in November and they are expected to have to postpone one of their Premier League games to fit into their match with PSV, probably their clash with Manchester City on October 19.

Confirming the suspension, which was made after consultations between the two clubs and the Metropolitan Police, UEFA said it had made the decision “due to severe police resource constraints and organizational difficulties related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” Those factors aren’t expected to curtail Chelsea’s Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg at the smaller Stamford Bridge 24 hours earlier, but they could have a major impact on this weekend’s Premier League games.

Those taking place in London are particularly questionable, particularly Chelsea’s game against Liverpool on Sunday, which CBS Sports sources indicate is more likely to be delayed than played. The status of Brentford’s home game against Arsenal on the same day is also up for debate and even Tottenham’s game against Leicester the previous day could be dropped from the schedule if the crowds in the capital prove too much.

A shortened weekend of Premier League games this weekend will draw attention to the decision by the FA, Premier League and English Football League (EFL) to postpone games all the way to the grassroots level last week in honor of the late Queen. Other sports continued, including cricket, where the singing of the national anthem on the third day of the third Test between England and South Africa was seen as a moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

The football postponement has ended and matches are expected to continue lower in the English football pyramid. The Women’s Super League also starts on Friday, a week later than planned.

In a statement, the FA said: “Last weekend English football united to honor and remember Her Majesty the Queen.
We want to thank everyone in our game for their support and understanding as we respect our longstanding patron of the Football Association, Queen Elizabeth II.

“After a period of pause and reflection before our domestic match, we can confirm that matches will resume as scheduled, including matches from the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, the Emirates FA Cup second round qualifier, Vitality Women’s FA Cup, the National League system [NLS]Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7 and all basic football matches in England. Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup matches return tonight [Monday].

“All matches held in stadiums are subject to leagues and clubs cooperating with the relevant authorities to organize these matches, as is customary. We will be recommending clubs, leagues and leagues across the country to observe a minute of silence in before games are played, and that black armbands are worn where possible. All flags at Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park will remain at half-mast this week and over the weekend.

“The FA can also confirm that all scheduled football matches will be postponed on the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September. Our thoughts at this time are with His Majesty King Charles III, Our President, HRH The Prince of Wales , and the entire royal family.”