Colombia bans liquor ahead of Brazil quarter-final

Bogota (Colombia), July 2 (IANS/EFE) Colombian authorities here have imposed a ban on liquor during their side's FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Brazil that will take place Friday.

The ban will start at 1500 hours GMT and end at 0300 hours GMT while the game kicks off at 2000 hours GMT, reports EFE.

Alcohol was also banned during Colombia's last three matches, each time lasting for 24 hours.

The ban hours were reduced after people, who belong to the entertainment workers union, protested against the huge losses they suffered.

The government started imposing the ban after the death of nine people due to clashes amid the celebrations of the 3-0 win over Greece in the opening game of Group C June 14.

Another eight people died after Colombia grabbed a 2-0 victory over Uruguay and advanced to the last eight.

--IANS/EFE

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