Serie A Player Strike Resurfaces

August 4, 2011

The new collective bargaining agreement between Serie A and the Italian Players’ Association has been put into jeopardy after the Italian Premier League failed to sign leading to a possible strike.

Italian Players Association President, Damiano Tommasi claimed the Italian Football League has yet to sign a new collective agreement.

The previous agreement, concerning players’ rights, expired a year ago and the 2010-11 Serie A season was twice threatened by strikes before they were narrowly averted.

The new campaign is set to kick off on August 27, but Tommasi has warned that action will be taken unless a deal is reached that suits all parties. “Yes, the league kick-off is at risk,” the former Italy and AS Roma midfielder told SkySport24.

“The collective agreement needs to be signed and that needs to happen before the season can start. Even the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president (Giancarlo Abete) has said it. It would be hard for the players to not take to the pitch but we need their rights to be put in black and white, and it’s not an economic question. The players are united in their intent; I’ve visited 90% of Serie A teams.”