Richard Keys tells sports that played on they 'should be ASHAMED'
Richard Keys tells sports that played on after the death of Queen Elizabeth they ‘should be ASHAMED’ as the former Sky Sports presenter insists football made the right call by postponing fixtures this weekend
- Former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys says other sports ‘should be ashamed’
- Keys felt that the football authorities were right to postpone all football fixtures
- The decision split opinion among fans and people in the game over the decision
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys believes other sports ‘should be ashamed’ for playing on following the death of Queen Elizabeth II as he feels the football authorities made the correct decision in postponing fixtures.
On Friday it was decided by the Premier League and the Football Association that the football calendar would be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect over the passing of The Queen – who died at Balmoral at the age of 96.
The decision spilt opinion among fans and people in the game over the decision to postpone the weekend’s fixtures, especially given cricket, rugby, and ice hockey among other sports continued to play on or resumed on Saturday.
Keys, however, felt that authorities were right to postpone matches, in order to allow people to pay their respects.
He tweeted: ‘Football had no choice but to stop this w/e. Those that think differently are wrong.
‘The sports that played on should be ashamed. Did the decisions have anything to do with the events not being insured for cancellations? I’m hearing it may have done.’
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys believes the football authorities made the correct call in postponing the weekend’s fixtures at all levels of the game
Keys bucked the trend of most feeling like the games should have carried on with a respectful minute’s silence.
The England and Wales Cricket Board cancelled all fixtures on Friday after the announcement of the The Queen’s passing, but resumed matches on Saturday for all international, domestic, and recreational games.
Before England’s Third Test with South Africa at the Oval, a minute silence was observed by those in attendance, and there was a moving rendition of God Save The King sung for the first time at a sporting event.
Before England’s Third Test with South Africa at the Oval, a minute silence was observed
Both England and South Africa’s players also wore black armbands as cricket paid tribute
London Irish and Worcester Warriors observe a one-minute silence to honour Her Majesty
Both England and South Africa’s players also wore black armbands as cricket paid tribute to the UK’s longest reining monarch after her passing.
Rugby also decided to resume action on Saturday, much like the cricket, with all of the fixtures that were due to take place going ahead after observing a one-minute silence to honour Her Majesty.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker questioned why football couldn’t have done the same, by posting: ‘Given the wonderful and moving scenes at The Oval, it feels a real shame that football is not taking place this weekend, therefore missing the opportunity to pay its respects.
BT Sport pundit Peter Crouch posted on social media: ‘I know it’s only a game and some things are much bigger but imagine all our games went ahead this weekend.’
Gary Lineker believes football missed an opportunity by cancelling this weekend’s fixtures
Lineker took to Twitter to share his views after watching the tribute at The Oval on Saturday
TV personality Piers Morgan added: ‘Ridiculous decision.’
Those social media posts came after the Premier League posted a statement on Friday morning to confirm the news that matches this weekend would be postponed.
‘At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,’ a statement from top-flight bosses read on Friday.
‘To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.’
The FA’s statement added: ‘Her Majesty the Queen was a long-standing Patron of The Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game. As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September.
‘The FA can confirm that all football fixtures across the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed this weekend.
‘We can also confirm that all football fixtures across the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7, and matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed.’
There has yet to be an announcement as to whether the domestic calendar will continue from the start of next week, although games in European competitions are set to be played as scheduled.
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