Serie A labour deal struck

The 2011/12 Serie A season will get underway this weekend after an agreement was reached between the league and Italian players’ union.

With a previous collective bargaining agreement expired and no new arrangement reached, players opted to strike last week, meaning the first round of the top-flight season was postponed.

A temporary one-year deal has been signed on Monday, and the league season will now begin with Lazio’s visit to champions AC Milan on Friday.

“An agreement was signed today by FIGC (Italian Football Federation) president Giancarlo Abete, Lega A president Maurizio Beretta and AIC (Italian Players’ Union) president Damiano Tommasi for the new collective bargaining agreement,” the FIGC said in a statement.

“The contract will expire in June 2012.”

The previous collective agreement had expired at the end of the 2009/10 season, but matches went ahead last term while negotiations continued between the league and the players’ union.

“We are happy that the players will play,” Tommasi said.

“The Italian players have acted in a good manner throughout the negotiations.”