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Topics: Sky Sports, Premier League
George Nash
Broadcaster Richard Keys says sports that went ahead this weekend “should be ashamed”.
Many sporting and other entertainment events due to take place over the weekend, including all Premier League, EFL and non-league football fixtures, were postponed as a mark of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon.
A meeting was held on Friday morning between all major sports and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport where it was decided that rescheduling games would not be obligatory but down to the individual organisations.
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Shortly after, many of these organisations announced they would be postponing all fixtures across Saturday, Sunday and Monday as the nation enters a period of mourning.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: "We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
"As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.
"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."
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Several sporting events, including rugby league and rugby union fixtures in England, did, however, go ahead. Cricket matches, such as England’s third test against South Africa, resumed on Saturday while the British Horseracing Authority confirmed would also return as normal on Sunday.
And Keys, a former Sky Sports presenter who, along with pundit Andy Gray, was forced to leave the company in 2011 after tapes emerged in which the duo were found to make derogatory, sexist comments about referee Sian Massey and other female figures in the industry, mad his feelings on the matter known on social media.
On Twitter Keys, now a Senior Football Anchor for beIN Sports, wrote: “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.”
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Keys’ words caused a stir online, with many users posting messages expressing their disagreement.
“Completely disagree. Football has often brought people/countries/communities together and we should have let fans sing their hearts out and show their respect. The Queen enjoyed sports - I’d bet anything that she would have wanted them to go ahead,” one wrote.
“Those that think differently aren’t wrong, they are voicing their opinions. You aren’t judge & jury. You have your opinion and we are all entitled to ours,” another added.
While a third simply commented: “No.”