Liverpool and Rangers are still expecting their Champions League matches to go ahead next week, despite the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Reds are set to take on Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday night, with Gers due to face Napoli at Ibrox on the same night.
News of the Queen’s death was announced on Thursday evening, with the Premier League and Scottish Premiership subsequently deciding to postpone all matches over the weekend. UEFA has not officially announced whether European matches involving English and Scottish clubs will be canceled next week. But, according to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds expect to host Ajax on Merseyside and are planning the clash as usual.
Rangers, meanwhile, issued a statement on Friday to confirm their meeting with Napoli should go ahead as planned. “At this difficult time for the UK, we are aware of the continued uncertainty regarding supporter arrangements and travel plans for next week,” the statement read.
“We are aware of the police pressures and the resources, in particular on Tuesday September 13. We can confirm that discussions are ongoing between UEFA, Police Scotland and Rangers regarding our scheduled UEFA Champions League game against Napoli on Tuesday 13 September. At this time, the game must take place on the scheduled date and time.
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Liverpool and Rangers will now await updates from UEFA in the coming days. And European football’s governing body, which issued a message in tribute to Her Majesty on Thursday, will need to act quickly if it decides to postpone matches.
“European football sends its heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms,” read a UEFA statement. “UEFA informs that a minute’s silence was observed at matches involving British teams this evening as a mark of respect following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
And UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most respected personalities. Our thoughts are with his family and the president of the English Football Association, Prince William, as well as the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms.
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