UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has paid tribute to HRH Queen Elizabeth II following her death aged 96, with a minute's silence held across the body's competition matches on Thursday.

Britain's longest-reigning monarch passed away at her home in Balmoral, just months on from her Platinum Jubilee.

News broke amid Arsenal's early Europa League kick-off against Zurich, with the Gunners returning to the field for the second half in black armbands and a minute's silence held before play resumed.

Manchester United and West Ham's subsequent European commitments were prefaced by a minute of silence and tributes to the Queen too, and Ceferin offered his condolences.

"UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world's most-respected figures," he stated.

"Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms."