Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II — Great Britain’s longest-reigning monarch — died peacefully in Scotland at the age of 96.
The news had the United Kingdom and much of the world mourning Elizabeth II’s passing, and we’re just now seeing how the sports landscape in England is reacting to her death.
In London, West Ham United was hosting Romanian side FCSB in a Europa Conference League match at the London Stadium within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park complex. Before the match, West Ham held a minute of silence honoring Queen Elizabeth II. That organically turned into a crowd-led rendition of “God Save The Queen.”
This was the scene:
In the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, inside the London Stadium. A minute’s silence for the Queen turned into a minute’s celebration of her life. #QueenElizabeth pic.twitter.com/zExQuxCxPQ
— George Mann 🫧⚒️🫧 (@sgfmann) September 8, 2022
God Save the Queen echoed around the London Stadium pre game here at West Ham, followed by a massive round of applause from all in attendance including the @FCSteaua fans. Respect. #QueenElizabeth pic.twitter.com/rtOibqOEgw
— James Green (@JamesGreenInUK) September 8, 2022
Manchester United also had a home Europa League match against La Liga’s Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. Both teams and the crowd participated in a minute of silence before the match.
Manchester United and Real Sociedad pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen, who passed away today aged 96. pic.twitter.com/ALUcciB6hp
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 8, 2022
Manchester United and Old Trafford pay tribute after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/mXPG4NuxDS
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 8, 2022
The sponsor boards at Old Trafford were also kept black as an in-match tribute.
Interesting uni-adjacent news, particularly in the era of sponsor-creep: Old Trafford’s sponsor boards are black, apparently in tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s passing @UniWatch @PhilHecken pic.twitter.com/wUdWSRvIU6
— Trent Lowe (@thetrentlowe) September 8, 2022
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