Serie A fans could be without soccer Sept. 25-26 if the association of Italian soccer players makes good on its threat to strike.
AC Milan defender, and spokesman for Italian Football players association (IAC), Massimo Oddo announced the planned strike in a press conference yesterday morning. The dispute arose over a proposal by club presidents to limit player control in potential transfers.
The collective contract between the IAC and the club presidents expired over the summer and talks over a renewal have broken down. The proposed strike has been agreed upon by all 20 Serie A team captains and their union representatives.
This isn't the first time Serie A players have threatened a work stoppage this summer but none have gotten so far as to set a date. A spokesman for the club presidents said the IAC will be presented with a new collective deal on Monday.
The potential strike would affect the highly anticipated clash between Inter Milan and AS Roma on Sept. 25.
Here are a few more stories to kick off your weekend.
Hamid to have surgery, Quinn released from D.C.
A tough season for D.C. United just got tougher as the club announced that 19-year-old goalkeeper Bill Hamid will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, most likely ending his season.
Hamid started eight league matches and three U.S. Open Cup games for United, who signed 26-year-old Chase Harrison from Richmond to backup Troy Perkins. United released goalkeeper Andrew Quinn to make room for Harrison.
Villa sends shirts to trapped miners
The families of the 33 miners still trapped in San Jose, Chile received a show of support from Barcelona striker David Villa yesterday.
Villa, who's family has worked in mining for generations, sent the families two signed Barcelona jerseys. One jersey was sent specifically for the family of Franklin Lobos, a former professional soccer player who is now trapped over 2000 feet below ground.
"I am part of the mining family and I share the concern of the relatives but everything will turn out well," Villa told El Mundo Deportivo.
Flynn to take over Wales
Wales' U-21 manager Brian Flynn will take over the national team ahead of Wales' Euro 2012 qualifying clashes in October.
Flynn is set to replace John Toshak, who stepped down from his post last Thursday after six years in charge, as an interim manager. Wales sits third in group G with one point with a game in hand.
BALTIMORE UNITED, BABY!
sounds reasonable….thanks for clarifying….
It’s deceptive to say that they “released” Quinn. Here’s the deal…he’s a DCU Academy player who wasn’t eligible to be signed as a designated Academy player so they signed him as a FA after the draft. He then tore up a knee shortly after the season started. He only recently started practicing again. He’s less than a rookie–he really has about 2 months of practice at this point. His salary for the rest of the year is guaranteed. He will still be practicing with the team. He just won’t be on the roster.
So why “cut” him and sign Harrison? Harrison has a couple of years of professional experience. Quinn is rusty and has not played in a game this year (I think he might have gotten a half in an exhibition). DCU did not want to throw a young, inexperienced, unprepared player to the wolves should Perkins get hurt or ejected. So they signed someone who’s a bit more game fit and experienced. And Quinn still gets paid and still practices with the team.
I don’t understand DC’s move to release a keeper (Quinn) because they signed a keeper…obviously the new keeper they signed must be more experienced than Quinn, but if Quinn wasn’t ready, why keep in the first place….
Very cool and gracious on Villa’s part…my English grandfather and uncles were/are all miners in N. England so I too understand the plight of those trapped underground.