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LONDON — Several sporting events in Britain have been canceled as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on Thursday.
Organizers of the BMW PGA Championship golf event responded to news of the Queen’s death by immediately suspending play, with many players still on the Wentworth course. The course and practice facilities will be closed on Friday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have said Friday’s match in the second Test between England and South Africa at the Oval will not take place.
Horse racing meetings in Britain were suspended on Thursday evening and Friday, with the governing body wanting to “remember his extraordinary life and contribution to our sport and our nation”.
Domestic rugby matches in England and Scotland were canceled on Thursday and matches will not be played at the weekend either.
Friday’s stage of the Tour of Britain cycling has been called off, with a decision on the final two stages of the weekend expected to be made in due course.
The Premier League has paid tribute to the Royal Family, saying it is “deeply saddened” to learn of the Queen’s passing. He did not immediately say whether the matches would take place this weekend.
The English Football League, which manages the three divisions below the Premier League, canceled its matches due to be played on Friday night and said a decision would be made on Friday morning on weekend games after discussions with the UK government and sport at large. .
Manchester United’s Europa League game against Real Sociedad came hours after the Queen’s death was announced. There was a minute’s silence before kick-off at Old Trafford, with both teams wearing black armbands and the stadium flags flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
There was no pre-match music and the digital billboards around the pitch were turned off.
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There has been a minute’s silence in other European matches involving British teams, such as Arsenal, West Ham and Hearts.
The American Tennis Association has announced that there will be a minute’s silence before the first US Open women’s semi-final on Thursday evening, between Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia, “to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth II”. .
Tributes also poured in.
Brazilian football great Pelé has tweeted his admiration for the queen since meeting him in person in 1968 when he visited the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
“His deeds marked generations,” Pelé wrote. “This legacy will last forever.”
The All England Club, home of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, said the Queen had carried out her duties “with great wisdom, dignity and charm for 70 years”.
The Queen was the Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, who thanked her for “years of service on this deeply sad day”.