Northern Ireland fans heading to Ukraine match hit by French travel strikes

At least one early morning train from Nice was cancelled on Tuesday, supporters said, and there have been reports of CGT (General Confederation of Labour) trade unionists staging demonstrations outside the south coast city.

However some services are running more or less to schedule.

Northern Ireland supporters have been departing in their droves across Provence for Thursday’s tie against Ukraine.

Buses in Nice were not operating this morning because of the strike, part of a wave of industrial action which has convulsed France for days.

John Reynolds, 38, a Northern Ireland fan living in Merseyside, said he changed his ticket on Monday after being told the service had been cancelled but arrived for his train anyway to discover it was operating as normal.

He said: “I have asked for help several times but they just said it was ok without even checking my ticket.”

The Government is attempting to reform labour laws, including making it easier for employers to lay off workers, reduce overtime pay, increase working hours and reduce the strength of unions.