Italian footballers and clubs are close to finding a resolution to ending the current strike that saw the opening weekend of the season called off.
Following a meeting on Friday, Players' Union (AIC) president Damiano Tommasi said he felt a deal could be agreed to ensure next weekend's programme goes ahead.
"This afternoon we received the Football League's resolution that was reached at the assembly on September 1. The experts are working on it and we're moderately optimistic," he said.
Players called a strike due to the failure of clubs to agree on a proposed collective contract that would guarantee players certain conditions when they have been dropped from their club's first team squad.
The Italian Football Federation, which has been mediating between the players and the clubs, released a statement claiming an agreement was close.
"We have the necessary conditions to acquire the AIC's signature on the collective contract and we definitely expect the championship to begin at the end of next week," said the statement.
According to Italian news agency Ansa, that agreement could come as soon as Saturday.
Source: AFP
