Skip to content

Chelsea vs. Liverpool, United vs. Leeds postponed because of police shortage

Andrew Kearns - CameraSport / CameraSport / Getty

The Premier League postponed Sunday's matches between Chelsea and Liverpool and Manchester United and Leeds United due to policing concerns ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on the following Monday.

The league said it had "no option" but to postpone the two fixtures.

Saturday's game between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace was also called off because of an impending rail strike that would've left fans without a key mode of transportation.

Seven matches will be played on the weekend, including two in the London area: Tottenham Hotspur's home fixture against Leicester City on Saturday and Brentford's clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Chelsea's Champions League tie at home to Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday will also take place, The Athletic's Simon Johnson reports.

However, Brentford will now kick off against Arsenal at noon local time (7 a.m. ET), up from the originally scheduled 2 p.m. (9 a.m. ET) time slot.

Staging Chelsea's match against Liverpool at Anfield wasn't an option because neighboring side Everton also play at home that Sunday, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney. Playing behind closed doors was reportedly ruled out as well.

A record number of visitors are expected in London over the next week to pay their respects to the Queen, who will lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral service begins Monday.

The Queen's death last Thursday at the age of 96 prompted all football leagues in Britain, including those at the grassroots level, to suspend play.

The policing operation required for the Queen's procession and funeral will be one of the biggest in the United Kingdom's history.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox