Blatter slams Serie A strike

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised Italian football authorities for their failure to avert strike action in the Serie A.

Players are in a dispute with the Italian Football League over a new collective bargaining agreement, with the impasse leading to the postponement of last weekend’s first-round Serie A fixtures.

Since then, the Players’ Union has reportedly settled on a new agreement, meaning the Serie A should start as planned next weekend.

However, Blatter feels the strike should never have happened in the first place.

“Professional football must have respect for the clubs, the media and partners, as well as all the fans in the world,” Blatter said.

AC Milan and Lazio are expected to kick off the 2011/12 campaign next Thursday at the San Siro.