Italy hit by Serie A player strike

Serie A players will go on strike for the 16th round of games following a breakdown in negotiations between the Lega Calcio and the players' union on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Leonardo Grosso, vice-president of the players' union, Associazione Calciatore Italiana, said after the meeting: "The strike has been called for December 11th and 12th.

"We are really disappointed because we were open to negotiate and to find common ground, but no agreement has been reached."

The players' union called off a strike in September after the two sides reached an agreement to enter into negotiations.

However, not even the mediation of Italy Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete has helped to resolve the situation.

Today was the last day given by the players' union to the Lega Calcio for an agreement to be reached.

The main area of disagreement deals with what the players perceive as a lack of protection when clubs try to force them into a transfer when they enter the final year of their contracts.