Arsenal news: The Gunners may have to forfeit the PSV Eindhoven Europa League tie (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal may be forced to forfeit their postponed Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch side were set to visit the Emirates on Thursday but the game has been called off due to limitations on police resources in the lead up to the Queen's state funeral.
Arsenal won their opening match of Group A away to FC Zurich last week. PSV, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at home to Norwegian champions Bodo Glimt.
But this week's full fixture list will not be carried out. UEFA's statement confirming the postponement of the match in north London said: "This is due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
UEFA, Arsenal and PSV's statements all said they would work together to arrange a new date for the fixture. However, that may not be possible.
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The Times says the postponement has caused a headache for UEFA because there is no other available date before the group stage is due to end. And therefore it could be the case that Arsenal, as they were the home team, have to concede a 3-0 loss.
Tottenham were faced with a similar scenario last year. They had to concede defeat in their final Europa Conference League match against Stade Rennes after a large number of players tested positive for COVID-19 and a new date was unable to be arranged.
The Times says the Arsenal vs PSV clash could be played in January. However, if the Gunners have already qualified from the group, all parties may agree to forfeit.
The inclusion of the World Cup from late November to mid-December in the fixture schedule has made it even more difficult to find a solution. Replays could be scrapped in both the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup in order to create more space in the calendar.
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Arsenal news: The Gunners have never won the Europa League (Image: EXPRESS)
Replays have only come back into place this season but could be scrapped again. Arsenal will be in action later this week, visiting Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Seven of the weekend's top-flight matches will go ahead. Manchester United vs Leeds and Chelsea vs Liverpool have been called off as they are category A matches and there was not enough police available to be deployed.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace remains postponed despite the scheduled rail strike being suspended.
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