By David Gold
September 6 – The players’ strike, which has held up the start to the new Serie A season, has been ended temporarily after the Italian Players’ Union and Lega Serie A reached an agreement that will see the season start this Friday (September 9) when AC Milan host Lazio.
The two parties signed a temporary collective agreement, which is valid until the end of the 2011-12 campaign, meaning that players will adhere to a solidarity tax that they were reluctant to pay.
A statement from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said: “An agreement was signed today by FIGC President Giancarlo Abete, Lega A President Maurizio Beretta and Italian Players’ Union President Damiano Tommasi for the new collective bargaining agreement.
“The contract will expire in June 2012.
“It was worth having such a tough negotiation because the clubs have achieved much of what they wanted.”
Tommasi (pictured) added: “We are happy that the players will play.
“The Italian players have acted in a good manner throughout the negotiations.
“If, as Beretta has said, the clubs have achieved a lot, then it means we won’t have much to discuss for the new contract that will replace this bridging deal.”
The old agreement had run out in 2010, and talks had dragged on throughout last season, when strike threats were made but not carried out.
Spain’s La Liga also saw its new league season delayed by strike action, which ended a fortnight ago.
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