SOCCER loving landlord Steve Youds claims World Cup referees are becoming more popular than the players in his club as he cuts the price of beer with every red and yellow card.

The Everton fan, who has run Haslingden Trades in Church Street for the past seven months, is slicing 20p off his prices every time a player is sent off during a game and 10p if they are booked.

In last week's clash between Denmark and South Africa, where three players were sent off and 10 shown yellow cards, Steve was selling bitter at just 10p a pint with lager less than a quarter of the usual price at 30p a pint.

Steve, who runs the club with partner Marylin, said: "The referees are becoming very popular even though some of their decisions are mad. Everyone in here is agreeing with them and even cheering them on."

The club has been packed with football fans throughout the World Cup all hoping players will go against the FIFA philosophy of fair play and prompt as many red and yellow cards as possible.

Steve went on: "It's been a brilliant atmosphere. We're really geared up for the football in here and I don't know anywhere else which is doing anything like it."

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