Arsenal’s Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday has been postponed with police resources in London stretched following the Queen’s death last week.
UEFA confirmed on Monday that the tie will no longer be played and that a new date for the game will be communicated in due course.
European football’s governing body said the postponement was due to “serious limitations in police resources and organizational problems relating to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
PA understands that Chelsea’s Champions League home game against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday will go ahead as planned, while the midweek EFL schedule is unaffected.
Arsenal released a statement which read: “The postponement follows the liaison between UEFA, the Metropolitan Police and ourselves, following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“We are working with the authorities to reschedule the match and all tickets purchased for this match will be valid for the rescheduled date.”
The postponement of a game in London on Thursday would appear to cast serious doubt on the Premier League and EFL games to be played in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.
In the Premier League, Tottenham are due to host Leicester on Saturday night while Brentford host Arsenal and Chelsea are at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
In Scotland, Rangers’ Champions League tie with Napoli has been pushed back a day to Wednesday September 14, due to “serious police resource limitations and organizational issues”.
However, professional domestic football in the country will resume this weekend, the Scottish Football Association announced on Monday. The Football Association of Wales said all of its competitions could resume from Tuesday.
All EFL matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday are set to go ahead, with clubs planning to pay tribute to the Queen.
“A minute’s silence will be observed before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags at half mast and the national anthem to be played in the stadiums,” the EFL said in a statement.
