Despite this weekend’s Premier League postponements, Manchester United has stated that their away Europa League group stage encounter against FC Sheriff on Thursday would go ahead as scheduled.
After Queen Elizabeth II passed away, the UK entered a time of mourning. As a show of respect, this weekend’s top-flight, EFL, WSL, and even grassroots fixtures were all postponed.
The fate of the following midweek European matches has been cast in doubt as a result, but all seven games involving English sides are expected to be played as scheduled.
United, who are on the road in Moldova, have already declared that their match against FC Sheriff on Thursday will unquestionably take place after consulting with the authorities and UEFA.
According to a brief statement, “We can confirm that our UEFA Europa League match against FC Sheriff will take place as scheduled on Thursday evening in Moldova, following consultations with the necessary governing bodies and in accordance with guidelines supplied by the UK Government.”
“Match arrangements will not change for fans traveling to Chisinau to cheer the team.”
United is one of three clubs traveling abroad in Europe next week; the matches between Tottenham and Sporting in Lisbon and West Ham and Silkeborg in Denmark are also anticipated to take place.
In the meantime, the Met Police has said they are “comfortable” allowing Arsenal’s game against Dutch team PSV to go on as scheduled.
That is probably also true for Chelsea’s Champions League match against RB Salzburg, as well as for Manchester City and Liverpool’s Champions League matches against Borussia Dortmund and Ajax, respectively.
While many sports, including cricket and rugby, have chosen to continue over the weekend, the governing bodies of football have decided to postpone all scheduled games until Monday.
The midweek European games will probably all go on as scheduled, but the Premier League and domestic games the following weekend are still in doubt because of possible policing concerns given how close they are to the Queen’s burial, which is anticipated to take place on Monday, September 19.
A lot of people will be traveling to London in advance of the burial, which could interfere with Chelsea’s Sunday afternoon match against Liverpool.