Scots pubs were allowed to remain open for longer last night so punters could watch France and Switzerland battle it out in extra time and penalties in their Euro 2020 clash.
The fixture was originally due to finish at around 10pm last night, but both sides played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw within the regular 90 minutes.
Officials then called for penalties as neither team was able to come up with a winner during the additional half an hour of extra time.
Switzerland upset the odds and won the shootout 5-4 after France’s golden boy Kylian Mbappe missed the final spot kick.
The game finished at around 10.45pm last night, which overlapped the 10.30pm closing team set out under level two coronavirus restrictions in Scotland.
But the Scottish Government recently changed the rules to allow bars to remain open indoors to punters could watch the remainder of the action.
Guidance issued by officials says that the new rules ensure that premises can continues to show games to their conclusion “without the risk of disruption to customers and staff”.
What do the rules say?
If extra time and penalties extends beyond the closing times of 10.30pm in level two and 11pm in level one, pubs can stay open to a latest time of 11.30pm or a “reasonable margin” after the end of the game (whichever is earlier).
These rules are only limited to match days and on the Euro 2020 games where play is extended.
The measure is only temporary and only available to premises that are showing live Euro 2020 matches between June 26 and July 11.
Bosses at these premises should use the eventual end of the match as the marker for starting to wind down.
Around 15 minutes after the game should be used to clear up and disperse customers who are still inside the pub. This time should not be any later than 11.30pm under the rules.
But it is bad news for punters hoping for an extra drink during the extended play, as pubs should not serve beyond current closing times and last order arrangements.
The Scottish Government says: “This measure is aimed at allowing games to be shown to their conclusion rather than facilitating later service.”
Current closing times will remain in place on the days where games are not being shown and for games that do not result in extra time and penalties.
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