AN award-winning Colchester pub will not be showing any World Cup matches due to the controversies surrounding this year’s tournament. 

Bosses at The Victoria Inn, in North Station Road, have confirmed their watering hole will be a football-free zone throughout the duration of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The venue, described as a “proper pub”, has always refrained from showing sports but feels particularly passionate about their reasoning to not do so on this occasion.

Since Qatar was confirmed to be the competition’s host nation concerns have been raised over the country’s human rights record and its stance on homosexuality.

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Being gay in the Arab country, for example, is illegal and punishable with up to seven years in prison or even the death penalty for Muslims under sharia law.

It has also been widely reported thousands of migrant workers have died while building stadiums for the tournament.

In a statement published on social media, a spokesman for the Victoria Inn said: “We don't show sports here and that won't be changing.

“Even if we did, we wouldn't be showing the World Cup due to where it is being held and the way they treat other human beings.

“If you still want to visit a pub for a few drinks, a chat with friends or to just read a book with a pint, then we are your venue. See you at the bar.”

Gazette:

Other venues in the city, however, are a bit more reluctant to lose out on the huge income that televising World Cup matches puts behind the bar. 

The Centurion, for example, “couldn’t be more excited” for this year’s tournament and is already taking table bookings, as it Yates, in Head Street.

Colchester’s oldest pub, meanwhile, The Marquis, in North Hill, will be opening early next month for England’s first game of the competition.

“The biggest tournament in the world starts a week from Sunday,” reads a statement published on the watering hole’s social media page.

“We will be opening from 11am on Monday with a breakfast menu for any of you wanting to get in the spirit early.

“Book your space for the game now and watch England bring it home.”

The Victoria Inn’s decision to not show any games comes as Essex MP and foreign secretary James Cleverly confirmed he will be attended the World Cup in Qatar.