SONS of Struth Football Academy have slammed the Scottish Youth Football Association decision to allow fixtures to go ahead this weekend.

The group shared their 'dismay and great disappointment' at the decision for matches to proceed after SPFL, SWPL, Highland and Lowland League matches and Scottish Women's Cup fixtures were postponed.

Professional and junior matches were postponed as a mark of respect after the passing of the Queen yesterday.

The Royal Family yesterday confirmed the news of Queen Elizabeth's passing at Balmoral.

And sporting events across the UK were postponed after the sad news.

However, SYFA matches will proceed with chiefs insisting the decision was taken considering the "important social and health benefits for young people that football brings".

But Sons of Struth Football Academy have hit out at the call stating the decision "opposes our ethos of teaching children values such as respect and dignity".

The group also questioned the second decision to inform clubs to arrange a minute's silence or applause as a mark of respect before matches.

The football academy last night confirmed training and small sided games were cancelled after a unanimous from the board and coaching teams.

A Sons of Struth Football Academy statement read: "Sons of Struth Football Academy are dismayed and greatly disappointed by the SYFAs two decisions regarding matches this weekend after the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

"Their first decision is to expect teams to play football this weekend despite the precedence set by the rest of Scottish football at every other level which is completely opposite our clubs view.

"This decision opposes our ethos of teaching children values such as respect and dignity.

"Their second decision isn’t even a proper decision. They have passed responsibility of deciding if clubs should show respect with a minute’s applause OR silence.

"We feel a body of this importance should be responsible for such decisions."

A joint Scottish Youth Football Association and Scottish Women's Football statement had announced: "In sharing deepest condolences with the Royal Family, youth teams are being encouraged to mark the Queen's death with a minute's applause or silence ahead of their fixtures this weekend as a sign of respect.

"In recognition of the important social and health benefits for young people that football brings, SWF and SYFA have confirmed that youth fixtures will proceed this weekend, but in the context of national mourning, teams are being encouraged to pay respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who passed away yesterday.

"Teams should coordinate with opponents and referee ahead of the game to ensure that the arrangements are coordinated and carried out with the utmost respect for each other and for everyone mourning the passing of the Queen."