Protesters disrupt Longchamp meeting

Racing : This afternoon's meeting at Longchamp is in the balance as angry punters have staged an on-course protest.

Racing: This afternoon's meeting at Longchamp is in the balance as angry punters have staged an on-course protest.

Around 150 racegoers have blocked the walkway between the paddock and the track to demonstrate against the lack of betting on the racing due to a strike by Pari-Mutuel workers.

The protest has forced racing to be suspended and the meeting could be called off if the situation is not resolved.

A deputation of jockeys has already been down to speak to the punters and they have been offered free entry for future meetings as an incentive to end the protest.

Louis Romanet, director-general of France Galop, said: "We are trying to discuss this but they won't move. They are threatening to go onto the track if we try to start racing. This is an absolute disaster for French racing."

The meeting, featuring the French 2000 and 1000 Guineas, should have started at 1.15pm.

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