Sports events called off, tributes paid after Queen Elizabeth dies

The sporting world reacted to Queen Elizabeth’s death on Thursday with a slew of cancellations in cricket, golf, rugby, and cycling, while others observed a minute’s silence.

The queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died peacefully at the age of 96 at her home in Scotland.

The second day of the third and final cricket test between England and South Africa at the Oval on Friday was called off as a mark of respect, as were matches in the domestic Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

The English Football League (EFL) cancelled two games on Friday, while West Ham United fans sang a rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen” before their Europa Conference League match against FCSB of Romania on Thursday. At Europa League games involving British teams, a minute’s silence was observed, and players wore black armbands.

The Scottish Professional Football League has also postponed Friday’s Scottish Championship game between Cove Rangers and Dundee.

According to British media, the Premier League will likely decide on the weekend’s fixtures on Friday.

Play was suspended on Thursday at Wentworth, which is hosting the BMW PGA golf Championship, the flagship event of Europe’s DP World Tour, and the second round on Friday was cancelled.

In cycling, the Tour of Britain cancelled Friday’s sixth stage before cancelling the rest of the weekend’s stages.

The National Football League in the United States held a moment of silence before the start of the regular-season opener between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills.

The US Open tennis championships and Formula One racing will also be silent.