British sports events moved as 'mark of respect' for Prince Philip's funeral

LONDON: Racing's Scottish Grand National as well as football and rugby fixtures in the United Kingdom are to be moved "as a mark of respect" to avoid a clash with the funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday (Apr 17).

Scotland's premier jumps race will be run on Sunday while 32 English Football League games will be moved from their 2pm GMT (10pm Singapore time) kick-off slot.

Prince Philip's funeral is due to begin at 2pm GMT, and a national minute's silence will be held at the same time.

"As a mark of respect for the funeral ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, it has been agreed that no racing will take place in Great Britain between 2.45pm and 4.15pm on Saturday, Apr 17," said the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in a statement.

"As a result, the Scottish Grand National fixture at Ayr and the Spring Trials fixture at Newbury will now be moved ... to the afternoon of Sunday, Apr 18."

READ: Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, dies aged 99

The English Football League said it "will now work with its clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played".

In the Premier League, there are talks about moving Wolverhampton Wanderers' home game against Sheffield United which is due to get under way at 2pm GMT.

In cricket, the nine County Championship matches scheduled on Saturday will be paused between 1.50pm and 3.10pm GMT.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also asked all recreational cricket clubs to do the same.

In Scotland, there are six Scottish Cup fourth-round matches scheduled around the time of the funeral, including the high-octane clash between Rangers and holders Celtic at 3pm GMT.

The Scottish Football Association says it is has "entered dialogue with the relevant stakeholders" regarding those fixtures.

The FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley is at 4.30pm GMT.

Premiership Rugby has changed the kick-off times of all four of its matches on Saturday so that they do not clash with the funeral.