There was a time when the ‘common man’ stood in unison against owners and understood one another’s plight.  Granted, in this case we are talking about professional footballers who earn higher wages than most of us - but does that mean they are wrong to strike? Over the past few months we have seen NFL players teaming up against owners in the U.S., and it was many months before an agreement was reached. Then there’s the question of NBA basketball players, who may soon face the reality of not playing an entire season.  The strike bug seems to have hit soccer as well, when La Liga was on strike until this past weekend, and Serie A, who are still on strike, as of this past weekend. 

While there are many reasons for players striking against their bosses across the leagues, there remains a unified undertone: “We are tired of being exploited, and it is time to take a stand.” This is no different in Serie A, where the main points of contention, as we know it, are players do not want to be forced to leave their club with one year left on their contract [just because the club doesn’t want them anymore], and a 5 percent additional tax on income above $128,250 and a 10 percent additional tax on income above $213,750.

These two points of contention present an interesting conundrum, and perhaps leave fans unsure of where to lay their allegiance. While I do not understand all the intricacies of the tax increase, I would assume that this proposed tax increase would not apply to most fans, and owners have been able to sway opinion to their side.  It's hard to feel sorry for someone who is making that much money, and even harder if they don’t want to pay more taxes to help your country. If these rich players are the cause of you not being able to see your beloved team, well, that is just plain unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the other point of contention – players demoted and/or not allowed to train with the first team, and in some cases forced to move while still under contract - can become more obscured.  If we try not to think about the high salaries that players rake in, they are ostensibly workers just like us.  Imagine this: you have a great job and have been promoted to the top level of your company.  Then, for whatever reason, your bosses decide they want to move in a different direction and move you to the basement, and you no longer have access to the same resources that enabled you to be as successful as you were.  Even worse, imagine you love living in the U.S. and you have been working at your job for 5 years, when suddenly your employer does not think you are of use anymore, so they send you to Panama (no offense to Panama, I used to live there) and you can’t quit your job. Does that sound like the kind of thing you would expect in your chosen occupation?

The fact of the matter is that living under conditions like this are, quite frankly, unbelievable.  Most of us will never be able to comprehend a situation like that, yet it is what Serie A players can expect when they sign on with a team. When we get to heart of the matter, we the fans have a hard time relating to players because of the exorbitant amounts of money they make. Owners know this as well, because despite the fact that owners make terrible decisions in the transfer windows on a semi-annual basis, they are successful business people, and as such, they understand how to control us, the consumers.  

So while in the short run we may be robbed of a brilliant Serie A football season, in the long run, I hope the players stand their ground and ultimately win the rights for which they are fighting.  We will keep you updated here on the Serie A Kick About, and continue to take a deeper look into the current strike in Serie A. Unfortunately, after the 18-2 vote by the owners to reject the players offer, we may be here awhile. Lungamente vive la Rivoluzione

Carlos Bravo is the weekly Serie A recap writer for the Kickabout, and writes the “I Play for Checks” blog, a forthcoming innovative and unique sports and pop culture blog.  You may contact him at carlos.bravo12@gmail.com, or at his twitter, @BuffBravo