Colombia gives workers time off to watch World Cup match

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has given government workers Friday afternoon off to watch the national team play Brazil in the quarter-finals of the football World Cup.

The president will fly to Brazil to watch the match played in Fortaleza.

The progress of Colombia to the quarter-finals has sent the country into a state of national euphoria.

But after a spike in domestic violence after Colombia's first win, the sale of alcohol will be banned on match day.

Historic first

The president decreed that Friday afternoon would be a "civic day" so that government workers could finish work at 13:00 and watch the match, due to kick off at 15:00 local time.

He said he would fly to Fortaleza in the morning, and fly back that same evening "following Colombia's victory".

Colombia has never before reached the World Cup quarterfinals.

Vice-President Angelino Garzon urged local government offices to also give their employees the afternoon off.

The mayor of Cali, Colombia's third largest city which is known as a place particularly fond of partying, said he would follow suit.

Perfect record

Colombia has won all four of the matches it has played during the World Cup, causing jubilation among its fans.

By:  BBC