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Players strike threatens Serie A opening

Comment: 0 August 23rd, 2011 by: admin

The Italian Players’ Union (AIC) has threatened to go on strike during the opening weekend of the Serie A unless a new collective contract is signed before the start of the Serie A season.

According to representatives from all 20 Serie A clubs, unless a compromise is met between players and clubs, the strike will push through on the specified date.

‘The fact is we cannot start the new season without a new labour agreement’, said former defensive midfielder and current association president Damiano Tommasi. ‘You will have to ask the League (Lega) what the chances are of us agreeing a deal.’

The major conflicts revolve around article seven of the proposed agreement stating that clubs are allowed to force omitted players to train away from their team, and accept transfers – propositions players refuse to accept.

‘We reiterate our position,’ said Tommasi. ‘If the contract is signed, we will play on Saturday and Sunday. Otherwise, we will stay home.’

The proposed agreement must be signed by 27 August, which is the official opening of the Serie A season. Tommasi insisted that the players’ protests are rooted on their rights, and that it is in no way about money.

‘Our rights have to be put on paper,’ said the director.

The end of the 2009-2010 season saw the expiry of the previous collective contract; according to the players, negotiations aimed to renew it took the entirety of last season.

In one instance, the AIC threatened to strike during the weekend of December 11 and 12 for similar reasons. The strike was narrowly avoided when a verbal agreement between players and clubs was concluded on December 9.

But according to the AIC, up to today they are still waiting for the verbal agreement to be translated into paper.

‘The previous agreement which was certified by the Italian federation (FIGC) in December 2010 was ignored by the clubs, which was an unacceptable decision,’ read the open letter by the players’ union.

‘As a result, the period of de-regulation continues to go on. The current situation threatens the players’ rights. Italy is today the major football nation without contractual rules for the players and it is time to solve this situation.’

In response to the conflict, Football Association president Giancarlo Abete stated that he felt ‘ashamed.’

‘With the country going through so many problems, this article does not deserve so much attention,’ he recently stated. ‘A little bit of good sense will allow a clear interpretation of article seven of the collective agreement.’

He furthered that the failure to reach a signing of the contract signifies that other motives must be involved.

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