CHELSEA’S Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday has been POSTPONED.
But Wednesday’s Champions League game at home to Red Bull Salzburg WILL go ahead, the Blues have confirmed.
The home game against the Reds was due to kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm.
But with Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral taking place in London on Monday, the demands on police mean it will now have to be rearranged.
Manchester United vs Leeds and Brighton vs Crystal Palace are also postponed, although seven out of 10 Premier League games this weekend will go ahead.
A Prem statement said: “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.
READ MORE CHELSEA STORIES
“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.”
There were talks about switching Chelsea vs Liverpool to Anfield to take some pressure off the Met.
Most read in Football
However, moving it at such late notice would also be problematic in terms of staffing and tickets.
Meanwhile the Blues’ Champions League match with Salzburg will be played in West London at 8pm on Wednesday.
A Chelsea statement confirmed today: “Our Champions League fixture against RB Salzburg on Wednesday night will go ahead as planned.
“The decision comes after discussion with the Metropolitan Police and UEFA following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Kick-off remains at 8pm.
“We will update supporters on Sunday’s fixture with Liverpool as soon as we possibly can.”
That will be Graham Potter’s first match in charge of Chelsea after he replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel last week.
All football in England was postponed at the weekend following the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II at the age of 96.
The Queen’s coffin will be flown from Edinburgh to London on Tuesday and then be taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday.
She will then lie in state until Monday, when the funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey.
EFL fixtures will resume on Tuesday but Uefa confirmed Thursday’s Europa League match between Arsenal and PSV is off.
Clubs are keen to get matches played especially with an international break next week and the already-congested football calendar.
Uefa want to have all group-stage games across the three competitions completed before players are released for the World Cup following the weekend league fixtures on November 12 and 13.
In the Premier League, Tottenham also play at home this weekend as they host Leicester on Saturday evening and Brentford take on Arsenal in a London derby on Sunday.
The clash between the Bees and the Gunners has been brought forward from 2pm to 12pm “to ensure policing and safety resources are utilised in the best way” ahead of The Queen’s funeral.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
