erie A players will go on strike for the 16th round of games following a breakdown in talks between the Lega Calcio and the players' union.

Italy's football league president Maurizio Beretta has launched an angry attack against the players' union following the announcement they will strike later this month.

The players' union Associazione Calciatore Italiana confirmed today the 16th round of Serie A games on December 11 and 12 will not be played in protest against the Italian league, who have not renewed the collective bargaining agreement which expired in June.

Beretta described the union's decision as an "irresponsible one and without reason".

Tuesday was the last day given by the AIC to the Lega A to reach an agreement but just like in previous meetings, this afternoon's talks in Rome, mediated by Italy's Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete, proved unsuccessful.

"We are witnessing a dangerous play of massacre," said Beretta after the meeting in Rome.

"The players'strike is an irresponsible decision and without reason.

"I am stunned by the AIC's decision to walk away from the negotiating table while Abete was illustrating the proposal prepared by the FIGC.

"This is a day without precedence."

At issue is the collective contract between the association and the league guaranteeing players' rights.

It expired on June 30, but no action has been taken by the League since then.

The AIC called off a strike back in September after the two sides reached an agreement to enter into negotiations.

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.

Abete advised both parties to leave out sticky points in the hope of reaching an understanding but the AIC today blamed the Lega A for wanting to negotiate other issues.

"We were happy to discuss only the six points as it was previously arranged," said AIC vice-president Leonardo Grosso.

"But not the seventh point regarding players out of squad because that is something that from the start has not been accepted by AIC.

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

The players' union had threatened to strike in recent years.

However, Serie A football has not been halted since a players' strike that started March 17, 1996, to protest against several issues related to the Bosman ruling.