Prince Philip: sports world pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh
The sports world pays tribute to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99.
There were periods of silence ahead of football matches, including Fulham’s Premier League game against Wolves and England’s women’s friendly in France.
A two-minute silence followed in Aintree and at the county cricket matches earlier on Friday.
Flags were half-masted at a number of venues, including Wembley and the nine county cricket grounds.
There will be a minute of silence before all Premier League matches this weekend and players will wear black armbands. All clubs in the Scottish Professional Football League will also observe a minute of silence this weekend.
A minute of silence will be observed ahead of all Cymru Premier and Welsh Premier Women’s League matches this weekend, while the Northern Ireland Football League has said a decision on tributes will be made by the clubs, with some willing to observe a minute’s silence before kick-off. and others fly their stadium flags at half mast.
Buckingham Palace said the Duke of Edinburgh “passed away peacefully” at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.
The Duke was an honorary member of the Jockey Club and former president of the Marylebone Cricket Club.
The Grand National will take place in Aintree on Saturday, with two minutes’ silence on the course.
The Football Association said it had sent its “deepest condolences” to the Queen and the Duke of Cambridge, president of the FA.
Prince Philip was FA President from 1955 to 1957 and accompanied the Queen to Wembley when England won the World Cup in 1966.
Northern Ireland’s Euro 2022 women’s first leg fixture against Ukraine in Kovalivka went according to plan, with the visitors winning 2-1.
There was also a minute of silence ahead of Wales’ friendly 3-0 defeat to Canada.
The English Football League has said there will be a two-minute silence before every match this weekend and that players, coaches and match officials will wear black armbands.
The Rugby Football League paid tribute to the Duke by saying: “As a sport we will be paying tribute and reflection in our Challenge Cup matches this weekend to mark the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, whose life has been a model of dedication to the public. a service.”
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, who was informed of the Duke’s death at a press conference, also expressed his condolences.
“I have the utmost respect for the royal family,” said the Portuguese.
“I believe that it is not only this country that will share these feelings, because I am not English and I know that many like me, we have the utmost respect.”
A number of football clubs also homage paid to the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Lawn tennis association.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club said: “We have been honored to host the Duke at the Wimbledon Championships on six occasions, most recently in 1977 at the Centennial Championships.
“His Royal Highness also graciously accepted the invitation to present the men’s singles trophy on center court to Lew Hoad in 1957 and Neale Fraser in 1960.
“The Duke’s commitment to a life of service that has spanned over six decades is an extraordinary legacy. We hope that during this time of sadness, Her Majesty will take comfort in the high esteem and deep respect in which the Duke has been tenuous.”
British rowing athletes will wear black ribbons at the current European Championships, while there was a minute of silence during Friday night’s session at the British International Para swimming meet in Sheffield.
Sir Hugh Robertson, president of the British Olympic Association, of which the Princess Royal – the Duke’s daughter – is president, said it was with “great sadness” that the “British Olympic family” learned of his death.
“I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family, and in particular to our President HRH The Princess Royal,” said Sir Hugh.
“The thoughts of the nation are with them all at this time.”
The sports world remembers Prince Philip
