England, this great sporting nation, is in mourning. From this Thursday evening, a few moments after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, English sport showed its pain. Most clubs have changed their wallpapers to put a black background. Elizabeth II accompanied English sport during the 70 years of her reign. “Manchester City wish to express their sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the Citizens said.
“Everyone at Arsenal is saddened by the news of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Her Majesty has done outstanding service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for over eight decades, and we join so many around the world in mourning her passing,” the London club wrote. Like Arsenal who played in the Europa League, Manchester United before their match against Real Sociedad observed a minute of silence. As a sign of mourning, the Mancunian club has also decided to remove all illuminated pubs at Old Trafford.
Same sadness at West Ham in the Europa League Conference which faced Steaua Bucharest. Hammers fans sang a rousing “God Save the Queen” at London Stadium. The Premier League officially wrote: “The Premier League is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Royal Family and to all those around the world who mourn the loss of Her Majesty. »
Meetings postponed as a sign of tribute
Pelé himself from Brazil paid tribute to the queen: “I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to to witness our love of football and that she experienced the magic of a jam-packed Maracana. Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will live forever,” he tweeted.
World Athletics chairman Sebastian Coe said the Queen had shown “exceptional leadership, grace, wisdom and fortitude. I will never forget her total commitment to the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She was a source of continuity and comfort, and she will be sorely missed by all of us,” he said.
Mo Farah, the British Olympic distance running champion, said meeting the monarch was “one of the greatest honors of (his) life”. The American Tennis Association announced that there would be “a moment of silence and a photo montage” in tribute to the Queen during the US Open on Thursday. The British Grand Slam at Wimbledon sent him its “deepest sympathy and [ses] sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen.”
“Formula 1 mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (…) For more than seven decades, she dedicated her life to public service with dignity and dedication and inspired so many people around the world. Formula 1 sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth,” the Formula 1 CEO said.
To pay tribute to the deceased queen, several sporting events scheduled for Friday and this weekend have already been canceled as a sign of respect. British horse racing officials have suspended competitions after the death of the British monarch, who displayed an intense passion for the sport throughout her life. The same goes for the Scottish Rugby Federation, which has decided to suspend all domestic competitions scheduled for this weekend, including the women’s team’s World Cup preparation match against Spain scheduled for Sunday.
Prior to this, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Friday’s match between England and South Africa would not take place. In golf, the PGA Championship at Wentworth, near London, was suspended on Thursday night when news of the 96-year-old Queen’s death was announced and it was later confirmed there would be no match on Friday .