Stephen Dunmoye
Sporting governing bodies and personalities have paid their tribute to her Excellency Queen Elizabeth II after her death was announced on Thursday as a minute’s silence was held at Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham and Hearts’ European matches.
Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sporting activities across Europe has been suspended.
All Friday’s race meetings in Britain have also been cancelled, along with the same day’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy cricket fixtures.
The English Football League, the BMW PGA Championship, the Women’s Super League, Premiership Rugby, Scotland women’s Test international against Spain, Scottish Rugby, Cycling’s Tour of Britain, Rugby Union, Formula 1, Motorsport and the host of others has postponed their evnts and activities.
All Premier League clubs posted individual messages paying their respect to the Queen and the Premier League said it was “deeply saddened” by her death.
In horse racing, Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty’s representative at the track, said: “The nation mourns the loss of a much loved and respected monarch. The world of racing has lost one of its greatest supporters.
Also, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The Queen was undoubtedly one of the most respected heads of state ever to have lived, and I send my condolences, and those of the entire FIA community, to the Royal Family and all of the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Motorsport, and especially Formula 1, has its heart in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Family has, over the years, given great support and patronage to the sport.
The England and Wales Cricket Board ,ECB chair Richard Thompson said: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in the game when I say how truly sad I am to hear of the Queen’s passing. Her Majesty has been such a great supporter of the game and was always so vocal of her and her late husband’s enjoyment around the sport.
In Golf, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who captained the victorious 2018 European Ryder Cup team, said: “Living most of my adult life in England I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. An inspiration to so many all over the world. Rest in peace, Your Majesty.”
Furthermore, Rugby Football League chair Simon Johnson said , “On behalf of the RFL and the whole Rugby League family, I express our deepest and most sincere condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The whole sport is in deep mourning at this extremely sad news,” he added in a statement.
Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement: “Her Majesty dedicated her life to public service throughout her 70-year reign. She was universally admired and respected throughout the country and supported many charities and organisations unstintingly.
British Cycling and a number of prominent teams and riders also paid their respects, with six-time Olympic champion Chris Hoy writing: “I share the sadness and sorrow of all Britons and many others around the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Some individuals such as Four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, Former Olympic and world 100m champion Linford Christie, current British sprinter Adam Gemili, Hoy, who was knighted in 2009, British heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and ohers paid their thribute to the Queen of England.