The English Football League has announced that all fixtures scheduled to go ahead at 3pm on Saturday, April 17 will be moved and played at another time, so as to avoid any clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The death of Prince Philip was announced on Friday morning, and the whole of the EFL held a two minute silence as a mark of respect for the husband of Queen Elizabeth.
As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/D29mShDGsd
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) April 10, 2021
The EFL have subsequently announced that out of further respect for the Royal Family, all football league matches arranged for Saturday, April 17 at 3pm have been postponed in order to avoid a clash with his funeral.
"As a mark of respect, EFL Matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," a statement read.
"The EFL will now work with its Clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played, giving consideration to the timing of the service.
"An announcement will follow in due course."
EFL Statement: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. https://t.co/d0OCoViWFd
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) April 9, 2021
A full fixture list was scheduled to take place at 3pm, with eight Championship matches programmed to kick off at that time. The weekend signals Matchday 42 in the Football League calendar, with teams closing in on promotion places and those at the bottom continuing to scrap against relegation.
Those battles will have to wait in order to prioritise the commemoration of HRH The Prince Philip, allowing time for the country to pay its respects. It is still unknown whether matches will be held in another time slot on the same day, or if the Football League will decide to move all games to an entirely different date.
Source: 90min
