Football and rugby union to resume in Wales after pause following Queen Elizabeth II's death

Football and rugby union are to resume at all levels in Wales.

Weekend fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County will return to action with the resumption of the EFL on Tuesday.

Wrexham's home game with Dagenham and Redbridge will also go ahead, while the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) says it expects all rugby to resume from Monday.

Football from professional to grassroots level in Wales, had been suspended in line with the game in the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Football Association of Wales said guidance regarding fixtures due to be held on the day of Her Majesty's funeral, Monday, 19 September, will be provided in due course.

The EFL said with a national policing plan now in operation the league and clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.

Cardiff travel to Middlesbrough on Tuesday while Swansea host Championship leaders Sheffield United. Newport have a League Two fixture at Stevenage.

A minute's silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the national anthem to be played in stadiums.

"I think it is a time for reflection and I think the Queen's life will be celebrated in the correct way," said Cardiff manager Steve Morison.

"I think there is no better place to do that than in a packed stadium where everyone can pay their respects and I think it will be a great occasion."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin said the Queen's passing was "tragic" because she had been "a constant in so many people's lives for so long".

"As a club our thoughts go out to her family and we'll pay tribute tomorrow night in our first home game since it happened," he added.

"There will be stuff planned to make sure we celebrate her life in the right way."

All senior rugby games in Wales were also postponed over the weekend, though mini, junior and under-18 rugby matches were able to go ahead.

The WRU announced on Monday that it "expects clubs across Wales to resume scheduled matches and rugby activities from 12 September".

"The WRU is grateful for the respect shown by the rugby community in Wales over the weekend (9-11 September) and suggests that where teams are playing for the first time since the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, that two minutes' silence is observed and black armbands are worn during this period of national mourning," a WRU statement said.

The union added that any matches scheduled for 19 September, the date of the Queen's funeral, should be rearranged.

Horse racing returned on Sunday with a seven-race card at Chepstow.

Cardiff Devils opening two fixtures in the Elite Ice Hockey League were also both played, with the Welsh side recording two victories.