World Cup ban on filling jerry cans at petrol station

A temporary ban on the sale of petrol in jerry cans in the Charente during the World Cup has angered motorbikers.

The Préfecture de la Charente has this week issued a decree making it illegal to fill jerry cans at fuel stations from the opening match of the World Cup until after the final on July 15 - citing the risk of disturbances to public order for issuing it.

Transporting fuel in the cans is also forbidden for the period of the decree, buried on page 45 of a 71-page document published by the préfecture, which states that service station managers are responsible for ensuring the decree is upheld.

The decision has upset bikers. The local branch of the FFMC association described the decision as 'absurd'. "We don't understand the justification, we're not in Seine Saint-Denis," a spokesman said, pointing out that fans of moto-cross races and owners of ride-on and petrol lawnmowers will be hit by the ban.