Man Utd & Man City Premier League games could be played next week, say Government & Met Police

Premier League matches could be played next weekend, according to a recent report, which claims the football authorities will be allowed to determine whether games will take place in the days leading up to The Queen’s funeral.

That was the case for this weekend’s games (9-11 September), but the Premier League and The FA opted to postpone all football in England as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The decision has been met by a largely negative response from supporters and commentators, while rugby, cricket and horse racing have been allowed to carry on.

There have also been suggestions that next weekend’s Premier League games could be called off due to The Queen’s funeral arrangements, with a date now confirmed for Monday 19 September.

That comes two days after Manchester City’s scheduled clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Manchester United are set to host Leeds United on Sunday.

Football.London have reported the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have no plans to postpone matches next week, leaving the decision once again up to the football authorities.

“Our guidance will stay the same,” DCMS told the outlet. “There’s no obligation to cancel as far as the government is concerned. But it’s ultimately up to the Premier League and EFL to make those decisions."

Meanwhile, the same website have reported that the Metropolitan Police will try and provide policing for games next weekend, if required.

"Whether matches go ahead is a matter for the football authorities,” a spokesperson for the Met Police said. “If fixtures do take place, the Met will work with the relevant partners and ensure that appropriate policing plans are in place."

That might remove one of the potential barriers to matches being played next weekend, with reports initially suggesting police would be redeployed ahead of the funeral.

Should the games go ahead for United and City, it will remove a potential fixture pile up, with both clubs unable to rearrange this weekend’s game until the new year.

United were due to travel to Crystal Palace while City were set to host Tottenham Hotspur. But given the European commitments of the two Manchester clubs, the earliest confirmed date which remains free for matches to be rescheduled is 17/18 January.

However, United and City have confirmed their midweek matches in Europe will go ahead. City host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in the Champions League, with United making the journey to Moldova to play Sheriff in the Europa League.