TORONTO

Soccer fans get nod to drink an hour earlier

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, May 12, 2010 3:16PM EDT

England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney looks at the FIFA World Cup Trophy at Earls Court in London, Thursday, March 11, 2010. The Trophy is making an 86,304 mile global tour taking in 83 countries, in the lead up to the finals of the tournament in South Africa.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

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TORONTO - Toronto soccer fans will have an extra hour to booze it up during the World Cup next month.

A proposal to extend drinking hours at bars and restaurants in the morning to line up with the start of some of the games in South Africa scored a goal with city councillors.

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone's motion with the bylaw attached was adopted at city council this afternoon.

It means soccer fans can toast their teams starting at 10 a.m. between June 11 and July 11.

Pantalone says he's "ecstatic."

He says he expects the bylaw will be proclaimed tonight.