When Bristol City v Preston fixture could be played after EFL postponements due to death of Queen Elizabeth

Bristol City had been due to play Preston North End at Ashton Gate this weekend, but all EFL fixtures were postponed.

The English Football League and the Premier League’s matches from 9-10 September have been cancelled as a ‘mark of respect’ for the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

Football schedules have already been affected by the World Cup being played in November and December with fixture secretaries attempting to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

The Robins are due to play Norwich City at Carrow Road on Wednesday, before another away match, this time at Burnley three days later.

Talks remain ongoing as to whether next weekends matches go ahead with plans about the Queen’s funeral to be released in due course.

An international break to conclude the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League, then comes after City’s trip to Turf Moor, putting a pause on domestic football in England for a week. Matches will run from Wednesday September 21 to Tuesday, September 27, in the penultimate international break of 2022.

After international players report back to their clubs, there are 11 matches to be played before the break for the World Cup, including four weeks of back-to-back games. There are already midweek matches against Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and Lincoln City to contend with when reorganising fixtures.

It leaves there being not that many dates available to play on if the match is to be played before international football’s most prestigious tournament begins.

The week commencing Monday, October 10 and Monday, October 24 are the only realistic dates for the fixture to be played in for the remainder of the year.

October 10 seems unlikely given a month’s notice is usually required when choosing fixtures for television broadcast.

There would be a desire to play the match before the World Cup as once we enter the New Year, there will be competitions such as the latter stages of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup to contend with.

An EFL statement said: “Details regarding rearranged games will be announced in due course.”