[Jager]

Serie B clubs threaten strike Tuesday 4 September, 2007

Serie B could grind to a halt after the clubs threatened to go on strike if the pay-per-view television contract was not finalised.

The Second Division is currently not available on television in Italy, as the sides rejected the offer of just £7m from Sky Italia.

In retaliation, the Serie B teams have suspended the use of Monday and Friday evening games, so every match this weekend will be played on Sunday afternoon.

If the situation is not resolved, then they have threatened to go on strike and halt the 2007-08 season indefinitely.

The Serie B viewing figures had shot up last term with Juventus’ demotion, but with their return to the top flight along with Napoli and Genoa, the market value has dropped dramatically.

“I asked the Serie B Presidents to reconsider and reflect,” said Lega Calcio President Antonio Matarrese.

“They wanted to call a halt to the season, but you need time to make certain choices take effect. On Sunday everyone is going to play together.”

One match has been postponed, though, as Brescia-Piacenza is rescheduled for September 18.

This is due to the law brought in last year allowing a club with at least five players away on international duty to apply for a postponement.

Serse Cosmi's Brescia made the call, as eight of their squad are involved in Euro 2008 qualifiers this week.

channel4.com - Football Italia