COLCHESTER United's crunch game with Walsall today will kick off at 5.30pm due to Prince Philip's funeral.

The start time for the League Two clash has been moved, due to the royal funeral.

All EFL clubs originally scheduled to kick-off their games at 3pm this Saturday have been asked to move fixtures because of the funeral service for the Duke of Edinburgh.

The service, at Windsor Castle, is due to take place on the same day with a national minute's silence to be held at 3pm.

The new time for the Colchester match was decided after discussions with their opponents.

An EFL spokesperson said: "As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 17 April will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

Matches taking place in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two this week and at the weekend will also observe a minute’s silence before kick-off.

Players, coaching staff and match officials will also be wearing armbands as a mark of respect.

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Colchester head into their game against Walsall in need of a win to boost their hopes of staying in League Two.

The U's lie four points above the relegation zone, with five games remaining.

Elsewhere qualifying for this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been moved to avoid overlapping with the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

Formula One and the FIA have announced that the session has been brought forward by an hour and will now take place from 1300-1400BST.

As a result, final practice will move to 1000-1100 in order to comply with the regulations which state qualifying must be two hours after FP3.

A minute’s silence will also be held before qualifying at Imola.