Deal avoids Serie A strike for now

05 September 2011 16:00

The Italian Players' Union and the Lega Serie A have signed a temporary resolution to avert any further strike action.

Both parties signed the document to last until the end of the 2011-12 campaign. The move means the Serie A season will start on Friday after the international break with AC Milan hosting Lazio.

A statement from the Italian Football Federation read: "An agreement was signed today (Monday) 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."

Last month's opening round of matches was postponed after the Lega Serie A and AIC failed to sign a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We are happy that the players will play," said Tommasi. "The Italian players have acted in a good manner throughout the negotiations."

The old agreement expired at the end of the 2009/10 campaign, with talks over its renewal continuing throughout last season and this summer.

Source: PA