Newcastle United wait on Premier League decision as FA gives green light for football return

The Football Association (FA) has given the green light for football to resume this week after the previous round of fixtures were cancelled as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

All levels of football - including the Premier League, EFL and National League- postponed their weekend matches after Her Majesty passed away on Thursday.

Newcastle United’s trip to West Ham United was among the games postponed, with a decision on whether or not Saturday’s clash against Bournemouth goes ahead solely with the Premier League.

Midweek fixtures in the EFL and National League will take place as planned, with the FA also confirming that a number of other leagues are set to resume.

FA statement in full

“We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to everyone across our game for their support and understanding as we paid respect to our long-standing Patron of The Football Association, Queen Elizabeth II,” a FA statement read.

“After a period of pause and reflection for our national game, we can confirm that fixtures will resume as scheduled, including matches from the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, the Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying, 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 matches across grassroots football in England. Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup matches will return this evening [Monday].

“All matches held at stadiums are subject to leagues and clubs working with the relevant authorities to stage these fixtures, as usual practice.

“We will be recommending to clubs, leagues and competitions across the country that a minute’s silence is observed before matches are played, and that black armbands should be worn where possible. All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly 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 remain with His Majesty King Charles III, our president, HRH The Prince of Wales, and the whole of the Royal Family.”

Premier League decision awaits

As first reported by the Daily Mirror, Newcastle’s encounter with Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday (September 17) is expected to go ahead.

However, games staged in London - such as Chelsea versus Liverpool and Brentford vs Arsenal - are at risk of postponement or having kick-off times changed with police on standby for the State Funeral on Monday (September 19).

Indeed, Arsenal’s Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday has already been postponed because of “insufficient deployment of police personnel because of the funeral services of the British Queen Elizabeth in London.”

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