Football fans hoping to raise a glass to England's World Cup hopes have been dealt a red card - because it isn't considered a special occasion.

But the Queen's Golden Jubilee is.

Pubs across Sussex have been told police and magistrates will not support applications to serve alcohol during morning matches.

Guidelines from the national Magistrates' Association say the competition does not merit extended opening hours because it is not a "participatory event".

However, the Queen's Golden Jubilee has been ruled a special occasion with applications likely to be smiled upon.

Football fans have blasted the decision, although there have so far been no bids for early licences.

Albion supporter and poet John Baine, better known as Attila the Stockbroker, said: "The World Cup is 50 million more times a special occasion than the jubilee.

"If they are doing this they have a pretty strange view of people's priorities in this country in the year 2002."

The eight-hour time difference between host countries Japan and South Korea and the British Isles means most England and Ireland games will be played before lunch.

Kick-off for England's crucial opening match against Sweden, coach Sven Goran Eriksson's home country, takes place at 10.30am on Sunday, June 2.

Mr Baine said while all matches would be broadcast on terrestrial television, many football fans preferred the camaraderie of watching in the pub.

He said: "To be honest, I wouldn't want to be in the pub drinking at 10.30am but it seems pretty bizarre all the same."

Kareen Plympton, licensing officer for Brighton police, said, under the Licensing Act of 1964, opening hours could only be extended for special occasions.

She said: "There are stated cases that say football matches are not a special occasion."

But the Queen's Golden Jubilee does qualify.

Miss Plympton said: "It's a national attraction that everyone can participate in. It's a one-off and that's the principle behind it."

Pubs can open early for matches as long as they only serve food and soft drinks.

Gareth Zaver, marketing manager for the Brighton-based C-Side chain, said it would be opening four of its pubs for England and Ireland games but only serving soft drinks.

Mr Zaver said: "The feedback we have had so far is that people do want to go to the pub and make an occasion of it."

Colin Millham, chairman of the Sussex Society of Licensed Victuallers and landlord of the King's Arms in George Street, Brighton, said: "This is a golden opportunity for coffee bars to open and serve soft drinks."