The sporting world has united in tribute and continues to pay its respects to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, following his death at the age of 99.

Football stadiums, cricket grounds and Aintree racecourse fell silent for two minutes on Friday following Buckingham Palace’s midday announcement that the Duke had died peacefully in his sleep.

The Premier League and other competitions will pay their respects this weekend as tributes to his lifetime of service pour in.

Sportsmen and women throughout the country will observe silences and wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

There are no plans for Government to ask sports to cancel any events this weekend, and instead sports will be free to pay their respects in the most appropriate way they see fit.

The Football Association announced flags at Wembley and St George’s Park will fly at half-mast.

The FA said that after seeking guidance from Buckingham Palace and the Government that all this weekend’s football fixtures “can continue at the discretion of competition organisers”.

“The FA will be recommending that black armbands are worn and a minute’s silence observed before matches are played,” said the governing body.

England Women’s friendly against France in Caen went ahead as scheduled, with both sets of players standing in silence before kick-off, but the FA said “it would not be fitting to conduct media activity” after the game.

Fulham and Wolves players stood in silence for two minutes before their Premier League match at Craven Cottage, with Watford and Reading also paying tribute before their Sky Bet Championship clash.

EFL chair Rick Parry said of the Duke: “As a patron of over 800 organisations, his high regard for the encouragement of sport and welfare of young people was unequivocal, and his loss will undoubtedly be felt not only here in the UK but across the world.”

A two-minute silence was also observed before the afternoon session at Friday’s County Championship matches, with players and other staff wearing black armbands and flags at grounds being lowered to half-mast.

The Rugby Football League, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union also paid tribute to Prince Philip’s lifetime of service and expressed their condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and her family.

British Olympic Association chair, Sir Hugh Robertson, paid tribute to the Duke.

“I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and especially to our President HRH The Princess Royal. The thoughts of the nation are with them all at this time,” he said.

Racegoers and riders at Aintree observe a two-minute silence for the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Racegoers and riders at Aintree observe a two-minute silence for the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Tim Goode/PA)

Aintree held a two-minute silence before the start of racing on day two of the Grand National meeting, while flags at the racecourse are being flown at half-mast. The Duke of Edinburgh was an honorary member of the Jockey Club.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho learned of the Duke’s death during his press conference before Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United, and said: “I would like to express my condolences to the Royal family and to be very honest and say I have the utmost respect for the Royal family.

“I believe that it is not just this country that is going to be sharing these feelings, because I’m not English and I know that many like myself, we have the utmost respect.”