Sporting events switched to avoid clash with Prince Philip funeral

World Snooker Championship: Talks continuing over Saturday timings. Picture: PAWorld Snooker Championship: Talks continuing over Saturday timings. Picture: PA
World Snooker Championship: Talks continuing over Saturday timings. Picture: PA
VARIOUS sports are switching start times to avoid a clash with the 3pm funeral of Prince Philip on Saturday.

Premiership Rugby has announced that the kick-offs at all four round 16 matches on Saturday have been moved.

Sale Sharks v Gloucester and Exeter’s match against Wasps will both start at 12.30 and Newcastle v Bristol will kick off at 5pm, along with Harlequins v Worcester.

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All four matches will be shown live on BT Sport with Exeter Chiefs’ game also broadcast on Channel 5.

A statement read: “As a mark of respect for HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Premiership Rugby can confirm that all Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches scheduled on Saturday 17 April have been moved to avoid a clash with his funeral service.

“We would like to thank our broadcasters and all eight clubs for their co-operation in re-arranging these matches so quickly.”

The English and Wales Cricket Board has said all nine LV= Insurance County Championship matches will pause for 80 minutes and has asked all recreational cricket clubs to stop play for an hour to pay their respects, alongside observing the one minute silence at 3pm.

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It was announced on Saturday that English Football League matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday will be moved to avoid a clash and it is understood the Premier League is still in talks with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding arrangements, while the Women’s Six Nations is awaiting guidance.

Wolves are due to host Sheffield United in the Premier League at 3pm, following the lunchtime fixture between Newcastle and West Ham.

The Chelsea v Manchester City FA Cup semi-final is due to kick off at 5.30pm at Wembley.

The World Snooker Tour is liaising with the DCMS with regard to the World Championship, which is scheduled to start on Saturday at The Crucible in Sheffield.

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High-profile race meetings at Ayr and Newbury scheduled for Saturday have been switched to the following afternoon. As a result, the Coral Scottish Grand National fixture at the Scottish venue and the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials meeting at the west Berkshire course will be held on Sunday.

No racing is due to take place in Britain between 2.45pm and 4.15pm on Saturday. Meetings at Bangor, Thirsk, Brighton and Nottingham will go ahead but with different start times to ensure races do not clash with the ceremony.

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