Abete ready for strike talks

Italian football chief Giancarlo Abete has called a meeting in Rome tomorrow in an attempt to avoid the Serie A strike planned for this weekend.

The players’ union, the AIC, walked out of negotiations last week after failing to reach an agreement with the Lega Serie A for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement which expired in June.

“I have called the Lega Serie A and the Assocalciatori (AIC) for a meeting in order to find an agreement that will avoid the strike called by the Serie A players for this weekend,” said Abete, president of Italian federation the FIGC, in a press conference today.

“I want both parties (Lega Serie A and AIC) to assume responsibility.”

The AIC are in disagreement with the Lega’s proposal in relation to forced transfers and squad exclusions.

Unless an agreement is found, the strike will go ahead as planned.

Serie A football has not been halted since a players’ strike that started March 17, 1996, to protest against several issues related to the Bosman ruling.