The Show Must Go On

Amidst the outpouring of public grief over the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the footballing bodies, namely the Premier League, EFL, and the FA, united in outlining their decision to postpone this forthcoming weekend's fixtures, describing the decision as a mark of respect to the Queen and those who wish to mourn her passing collectively or individually.

You do not have to be a royalist to mourn Her Majesty's demise. Having reigned for over 70 years, culminating in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year, the Queen was a British social institution; a constant, maternal figure for a nation that experienced vast social change under her rule. Her death marks a profound change in the social fabric of the United Kingdom - she was part of the country's furniture, and the period of transition, epitomised by the ascendency to the throne of King Charles III, will be peculiar for many. Many will be feeling a poignant sense of loss for a monarch that was dearly loved and respected by many, both in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

On the contrary, neither do you have to be a republican to question the decision of the footballing authorities to postpone this weekend's games in light of her passing. It appears that they have prioritised PR and political grandstanding, in its very nature a self-centered and ego driven view (rather typical of football's current ruling clique), over supporters, players, the working population and, in truth, the very notions of common sense and decency.

According to the Premier League's official statement, the decision to postpone this weekend's fixtures would "honour her extraordinary life" and act as "a mark of respect". In spite of its ostensibly respectable and emotive language, the statement, and in effect the decision, appears extraordinarily out of touch, and ultimately the wrong decision.

This verdict is further accentuated when the postponement of non-league and grassroots fixtures is taken into account. How does preventing a group of 9 year olds playing together on a Saturday morning recognise the Queen's extraordinary life, or assert her legacy? Is having a kickaround in a park now disrespectful to the monarchy? If this situation were to take place in a foreign country, the media and general population would openly mock it. On this occasion, they appear complicit in allowing absurdity.

The decision also appears to have been taken completely out of touch with the current societal and sporting context. From a purely footballing context, the rearrangement of one, possibly two rounds of PL fixtures is a logistical nightmare, exacerbated by the condensed fixture list caused by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, taking place this coming November and December.

However, given the circumstances, purely footballing reasons are not necessarily enough to justify allowing fixtures to continue. That is why an understanding of the political, social and economic context is also key. Many supporters will have booked trains and hotels, made multiple arrangements and booked time off work in order to go to this weekend's games. At a time when money is tight, and the government is openly calling for the general public to tighten their pockets, a flagrant disregard for people's money appears madly out of touch. Many people, whether through freelance work, or working at matches on zero hours contracts, are dependent on this source of income to sustain themselves and their loved ones - depriving people of eminently important cashflow is not a way to celebrate the Queen's life, particularly given the current dire economic situation amidst the cost of living crisis and soaring inflation.

The footballing authorities, additionally, through their naivety, narrow-mindedness and obsession with performative gestures, have lost a brilliant opportunity to allow emotional and moving collective remembrance. Through the use of silences, applauses, the national anthem, black armbands and the laying of flowers, the governing bodies have deprived many, particularly those outside of London and Edinburgh where the celebrations of the Queen's life are centred, to come together and collectively mourn the loss of our country's longest-serving and arguably greatest monarch. The response of West Ham United's supporters during their game against Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League was a touching example of what could gave been. It could have been oh so beautiful.

Therefore, this decision appears gravely mistaken. Football appears almost unique in its self-imposed state of impasse; Rugby, Formula One, Cricket, Racing and other sports, central to British life, are set to continue, as they should

Perhaps, ultimately, those in charge should have taken heed in the words of Her Majesty, herself. She once said "Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations". Ultimately life must continue, sport too, a little bit different than before, but ultimately the same.

Across the country, the Commonwealth, and the wider world, Queen Elizabeth II has been universally praised and adulated for her devotion to duty and public service, in spite of any and all variety of circumstances. Maybe those in charge should seek advice from her life, the essential role of those serving the public, and how that sense of duty, that sense to provide, should never be lost, no matter the situation.