Chelsea’s home match against Liverpool postponed due to policing concerns ahead of Queen’s funeral

Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP12 September 2022

Chelsea’s home game against Liverpool this weekend has been postponed, along with two other top flight matches, due to the strain on police forces ahead of the Queen’s funeral in London next Monday.

Crystal Palace’s visit to Brighton on Saturday and Manchester United’s home match versus Leeds on Sunday have also been postponed, leaving the Premier League with a major headache to reschedule a raft of games in an already hectic and truncated campaign.

Brighton had already requested a postponement of their derby against Palace due to a rail strike, which was cancelled after the death of the Queen on Thursday.

Chelsea, Liverpool and United are due to play midweek European games -- with the Blues’ Champions League home game against RB Salzburg set to go ahead as planned on Wednesday -- but Palace, Brighton and Leeds are now facing four weeks without a match, with the international break looming next week.

All football matches were postponed last weekend as a mark of respect for Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Brentford’s London derby against Arsenal on Sunday is on but has been moved to a 12pm kick-off from 14.15, while Everton will kick off 15 minutes later than originally planned, at 14.15.

The Queen’s body will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday until the funeral on Monday, when an additional one million people are expected in the capital.

In a statement, the Premier League said: “Premier League fixtures will resume this weekend after a pause to the season as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“Seven of the 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played, with three games postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral.

“In addition, kick-off times will change for two Premier League matches.

“Games postponed on Sunday 18 September are Chelsea FC’s game against Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester United’s home match versus Leeds United.

“Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s fixture against Crystal Palace FC, due to be played at 3pm on Saturday 17 September, will also remain postponed.

“Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.

“The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to liaise with them ahead of the weekend.

“For the matches being played during the period of National Mourning, tributes will be paid to The Queen at Premier League stadiums.

“New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.”

Confirmed schedule for this weekend’s fixtures:

Friday 16 September

Aston Villa vs Southampton FC - kick off 8pm BST

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham - 8pm

Saturday 17 September

Wolves vs Manchester City - 12:30pm

Newcastle vs Bournemouth - 3pm

Brighton vs Crystal Palace - Postponed

Tottenham vs Leicester - 5:30pm

Sunday 18 September

Brentford vs Arsenal FC - 12pm

Manchester United vs Leeds - Postponed

Everton vs West Ham - 2:15pm

Chelsea vs Liverpool FC - Postponed

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