Green light for Serie A - Second weekend of strike action in Italy averted

Posted Tuesday, September 06, 2011 by skysports.com

Green light for Serie A - Second weekend of strike action in Italy averted
Serie A: New season kicks off on Friday after temporary deal reached

The Italian League and Players' Union has called off a player strike after finding an agreement over a collective contract, meaning the new Serie A season begins on Friday.

The warring factions have agreed a temporary deal, which will run until the end of the 2011/12 season, and is designed to allow the football season to begin while the two parties continued to debate the two major sticking points.

The first relates to the payment of a solidarity tax, which the players have now agreed to pay themselves, and the second is connected to the fate of players who are forced to train on their own when dropped from their club's squad.

The accord will allow the campaign to begin after the first round of matches just over a week ago was called off, meaning the new season will therefore kick-off on Friday night with champions AC Milan hosting Lazio.

Tough

"It was worth having such a tough negotiation because the clubs have achieved much of what they wanted," league chief Maurizio Beretta said.

Although agreement has temporarily been reached, AIC president Damiano Tommasi said it was thanks in most part to the players for compromising.

"We're going to play and I think that's thanks to the players for their good sense in these negotiations," explained Tommasi.

"If, as Beretta has said, the clubs have achieved a lot then it means we won't have much to discuss for the new contract that will replace this bridging deal."

A statement from the Italian Football Federation read: "An agreement was signed today by FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, Lega A president Maurizio Beretta and AIC (Italian Players' Union) president Damiano Tommasi for the new collective bargaining agreement. The contract will expire in June 2012."