French strikes threaten rugby fans

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Widespread strikes are expected to cripple France's transport network just as rugby fans make their way to Paris for this weekend's World Cup final.

Railway workers will join bus, power, gas and some state employees for the action called after President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to back down over planned pension reforms, according to Monique Ricard, spokeswoman for the French railway SNCF.

Trains across France and the Metro -- Paris's subway system -- are expected to come to a halt starting Wednesday night, Ricard said.

"We are certainly concerned about the impact for fans. So far we've been assured the disruptions should be manageable but it remains to be seen," Jessica Chambers, a spokeswoman for the England Rugby Supporters Club.

Prompted by government attempts to cut pension privileges, the strikes will be for 24 hours but could be prolonged to Friday, Ricard said.

Only one in four trains will be running on Thursday, including suburban services linking Paris to its three international airports, she said.

About 80,000 rugby fans are expected to attend Saturday's World Cup final between England and South Africa.

Commercial flights to the French capital were sold out, while thousands of England supporters have booked to travel on the Eurostar rail service from London to Paris.

Eurostar has advised its customers to avoid all travel on Thursday and it has cancelled some of its trains on Thursday and Friday.

High demand has pushed upward the price of a pair of tickets for the final to as much as $3,000 in eBay auctions.

With Paris hotels booked full many fans are staying 30 kilometers (20 miles) outside the city in hotels around Disneyland's Paris resort.

SNCF has insisted the industrial action would not continue into the weekend. E-mail to a friend