Arsenal’s Europa League group stage match against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday has been rescheduled.
UEFA said that the game will be rescheduled due to a lack of available police in London during the UK’s mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II. The date of the game has yet to be determined, however, Arsenal has stated that they “are working with the authorities to reschedule the match.”
The UEFA statement read: “UEFA today announced that the UEFA Europa League tie between Arsenal FC and PSV Eindhoven, originally to be played on Thursday 15 September, has been postponed with a new date to be communicated in due course.
“This is due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
It is understood another factor in the decision was that the fixture was considered a higher-risk one because of the number of PSV fans due to travel, and their reputation.
The rest of this week’s European matches are anticipated to go ahead, including Liverpool’s home match against Ajax on Tuesday and Chelsea’s match against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday. Due to a dearth of available police officers in Scotland, Rangers’ match against Napoli was delayed from Tuesday to Wednesday.
As a mark of respect for The Queen, all professional and grassroots football in the United Kingdom was postponed throughout the weekend.
The EFL also confirmed on Monday that its midweek fixture programme would return as scheduled on Tuesday, with tributes to be paid to Queen Elizabeth II at grounds around the country. “A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the national anthem to be played in stadiums,” it said.
However, the statement left open the potential for the weekend’s games to be postponed. “With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and Clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures,” it said.
“Consideration to individual circumstances will be made on a case-by-case basis, in line with standard match Safety Advisory Group protocols.”
The Football Association said on Monday that all football at all levels was now clear to return but all matches scheduled for next Monday would be postponed.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku Obinwannem News Writer/ Sept 13, 2022
