Opening round of Serie A matches delayed due to strike

The Italian players’ association (AIC), Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Lega Calcio have failed to reach adeal regarding a collective bargaining agreement.

The AIC tried to delay the strike on Friday evening as they proposed a stop-gap solution that would give all parties involved more time to find a permanent solution.

Nevertheless, the proposed bridge-contract based on the agreements reached so far between the different parties, which would expire on 30 June 2012, was swiftly rejected by Lega Calcio.

"There will be no Serie A this weekend. We tried right up until the end, but ultimately all the talks were in vain," Tommasi was quoted as saying by reporters.

The biggest talking point is the so-called article seven about players who are deemed surplus to requirements by their coaches. AIC insists that those players should be allowed to train with the rest of the squad, while the clubs want autonomy for the coaches. 

The Italian government's decision to introduce an extra tax on wages over €90,000 per year has been the other issue that prevented parties from reaching agreement. The clubs feel that the players must pay the tax, rather than the clubs, while AIC feels the employers are responsible for paying the extra money.