THE prospect of another strike by Italy's top players remained after a meeting between the players' union and League officials yesterday.

After the six hour meeting in Milan, Sergio Campana, head of the players' union, said he was "neither optimistic, nor pessimistic" that a strike in Serie A planned for April 20th - the day before Italy's general election - would be called off.

But League president Luciano Nizzola, said: "I don't even want to hear talk of a strike," adding that the meeting had been "long and useful" and there will be more talks in Rome on April 11th.

Adriano Galliani, League and AC Milan vice president, said there was "still a great distance between the two sides. But something will be done before April 20th."

Following the players' unprecedented action, which caused a Serie A shutdown on March 17th, some clubs have raised the possibility of fielding reserve teams if the second strike goes ahead.