Bars in Guangzhou will still be forced to close at 2 AM despite the late start times for World Cup soccer matches, police said yesterday.

Police may be busy enforcing the rule. Forty of 64 World Cup games will start after 2 AM.

Nonetheless, many bars said they will violate the law and show the games.

"We cannot refuse customers who want to watch games," said a barkeeper. "We can stop playing drums and music after 3 AM, but the telecast will not stop."

It was unclear if bars would also stop serving alcohol after 2 AM.

Police insisted they will not relax the ban and will do inspections during the World Cup.

Bar owners are keen on using the global tournament to boost business, a Guangzhou newspaper reported yesterday.

A bar on Tiyu Road posted a World Cup schedule on its door. The national flags of the 32 participants line the bar's corridor. Pictures of soccer stars were plastered everywhere.

A bartender said they will use 10 30-inch color television sets during the tournament.

A bar on Huanshi Road said they will invite foreign friends from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and South Korea to watch the games.

(Shanghai Daily June 8, 2006)