Serie A players set to strike over transfer negotiation rights

Italian football is once again making the headlines for the wrong reasons after players in Serie A announced they will go on strike in a fortnight’s time.

The news of the walkout was communicated by AC Milan captain Massimo Oddo on behalf of the Italian Players’ Association after a collective agreement between the AIC and Serie A guaranteeing players’ rights expired this summer.

The dispute surrounds what the players recognise as a lack of protection when clubs try to force them into a transfer as they enter the final year of their contracts. The players believe they have the right to refuse a move to another club, as Juventus defender Fabio Grosso recently did after an offer from AC Milan.

“The AIC, in complete agreement with all the Serie A clubs, have decided that these teams will not go out on the pitch for the fifth round of games of Serie A on September 25-26 in order to oppose the (Lega Calcio’s) request for the introduction of a new contractual regime,” said Oddo.

“This decision comes from way back after we did not receive any response to our attempts to come to an agreement with the Lega.

“We, (the) players, are fed up of being treated like objects and not human beings. We are talking about human rights, such as being denied the right to do other activities or work rights.”

Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian football federation, and his Lega A and AIC counterparts will meet on Monday to discuss a way to avert the strike.