Beijing Bars Ban Blacks from Boozing

Beijing security restrictions ranging from hundreds of armed checkpoints to Beijing police having bar owners sign pledges agreeing not to serve blacks and Mongolians. It is an attempt to clamp down on drugs and prostitution.

Several bars have been outright shutdown during the Olympic 'festivities', dance clubs (which was included in the pledges; no dancing) and an entire block of bars in the Beijing Workers' Stadium compound - where Olympic soccer matches will be held.

This is just a couple examples of bizarre restrictions the Chinese government has imposed in the preparation for the coming games. Entertainers are to watch themselves and what they say closely, non-Beijing vehicles have been banned, causing delays.

Source: Theage.com.au

Iraq Soccer Officials Inflate Ticket Prices by up to 2,000% for Visiting Australian Fans

Dubai: Australian soccer fans who travelled to watch Australia play Iraq in a World Cup qualifier have complained that Iraqi officials charged them up to twenty times more for tickets than Iraqi fans and kept them waiting for hours.

The pricing fiasco, coupled with a week of 'dirty tricks' for the players, is seen by many as an insult after the Football Federation of Australia bent over backwards to accommodate the Iraqi's at a game in Brisbane the week before.

The Australian team were only given match balls to train with for their last two sessions and it took the intervention of the Asian Football Confederation to get the team one training session at the ground before the game.

Source: Theage.com.au