NATIONAL League leads way as The National Police Chiefs' Council "work closely" to ensure football can be held ahead of a possible Premier League return this week.

All football fixtures at every level were postponed last weekend following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, other sports such as rugby and cricket did continue on Saturday – although everything on Friday was postponed.

The DCMS guidance was clear there was no obligation for sporting bodies to cancel events, leaving it down to their discretion. The Premier League met Friday morning and announced its decision, with the rest of the pyramid following.

Now, the National League has publicly revealed its intentions to continue with the schedule as normal as of tomorrow, while Premier League clubs await their decision.

Clubs, for all fixtures up until the funeral, will observe a one-minute silence prior to the game and will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Her Majesty.

The National Police Chief’s Council said in a statement that a national policing operation had been activated and that UK Policing was working closely with other organisations to ensure events are held “safely and with the appropriate security”.

The NPCC added: “Following the decisions of the Premier League and English Football League to cancel this weekend’s matches, we will work with football clubs to try and ensure that, where possible, football fixtures can take place safely when balanced against the requirement to support national events and deliver day to day policing.

“This is a unique situation and we are working closely with everyone involved.”

Rangers’ Champions League tie with Napoli, originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday, September 13, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 14.

UEFA cited “severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning” for the Queen as the reason behind the decision to postpone.

Away fans will not be permitted at either leg as UEFA “urge fans not to travel and to respect this extraordinary situation”.

Saints are due to head to Aston Villa's Villa Park on Friday, September 16 (8PM), but await a Premier League decision on scheduling. 

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