By Andrew Warshaw
June 16 – The paralysing transport strikes in the French capital that have been deliberately timed to coincide with Euro 2016 have caused mayhem for ordinary Parisians as well as fans. Cancelled trains and disrupted timetables have been de rigueur since day one causing anger and resentment, many Parisians having to resort to taxis to get to and from work.
At Montparnasse station earlier this week, members of the public rounded on station guards hurling abuse over the length of the go-slow which for many is taking the fun out of Euros and seriously harming the reputation of this special city.
The industrial action has also seen air transport severely disrupted, fuel shortages and rubbish piled up on the streets of Paris.
French unionists riot, no English or Russians in sight
France’s trade unions have strong reputation for making their presence felt. With the focus very much on football hooliganism, rioting of different nature took place in central Paris this week when protestors clashed with police against a divisive labour reform bill they say makes it easier for companies to fire staff.
In alarming headline-making scenes and sirens wailing across the capital, at least 40 people were injured and 73 arrested on Tuesday as some 75,000 demonstrators amassed in Paris claiming France’s socialist government is backing employers rather than workers.
According to police, 29 members of the security forces were among those injured when hundreds of masked protesters hurled objects at police and stormed a building site near Les Invalides.
The bill, pushed through last month, retains France’s cherished 35-hour working week but allows companies to organise alternative working times. The protests, which are directly allied to the afore-mentioned strikes, even closed the Eiffel Tower for a short period because safety could not be guaranteed.
Battle scared hero becomes web sensation
Vedran Corluka, already something of a cult hero among Croatia fans, has had his status further enhanced, his bloodied head in the opening game against Turkey becoming an internet sensation.. Ćorluka played on heroically despite a range of bandages failing to effectively staunch the blood flowing from his wound.
Comparisons to Monty Python and the Holy Grail (“tis but a scratch”) have been all over social media with a number of fans wearing their own special bandages in Corluka’s honour.
Croatia team doctor Boris Nemec said: “I have never witnessed anything like this in my whole career. I bound the wounds so many times. I have seen a lot of different injuries, things you can’t imagine, but to have to bandage one player four times during one match, I’ve never experienced that.”
Irish travellers
It’s a long way to Tipperary, goes the legendary tune. It’s also been a long way FROM Tipperary for Irish brothers Shane and Joe Kenny who have driven from the famous old town where they live in a 12-year-old van to support their team at the Euros.
More food for thought
Different rules for different media centres. Twas ever for journalists thus at these kinds of events with little semblance of uniformity. In some cities, reporters are prevented from in taking in fruit and bottled drinks, at others anything goes it seems. The former only adds to the frustration of having to queue for ages in media centres to order the tiniest cup of coffee or a less-than-delicious cheese sandwich.
Insideworldfootball.com’s chief correspondent Andrew Washaw is at large in France for the Euros, and hungry for stories and decent food. Please feed him. Contact him at moc.l1734927971labto1734927971ofdlr1734927971owedi1734927971sni@w1734927971ahsra1734927971w.wer1734927971dna1734927971