Serie A meets to tackle strike threat

Serie A officials have met in Rome in order to try and stop possible strike action by the league’s players.

The opening weekend of the new Italian season is under threat if players and club presidents fail to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Clubs are hoping to convince players to allow them to make squad members who are not wanted, to train away from the rest of the team or even force them into a transfer.

They also want to add a solidarity tax that will hit the league’s biggest earners – like AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic – to fit in with financial restrictions put in place by the Italian government.

Serie A president Maurizio Beretta admits he is frustrated by the impasse.

“We are moving forward, but we hope to move closer together faster,” Beretta said.

“We are completing our work which isn’t easy and we hope to resolve it positively. Our position is clear and has been explained so now we are here.”

The start of one major European league has already been hit, with players in Spain refusing to play until a disagreement over financial regulations is resolved.

Serie A could go the same way if a new agreement isn’t reached by Saturday August 27th.