Sampdoria avoid relegation despite abandonment

Despite being eliminated after 65 minutes from their Serie B relegation play-off against Salernitana, Sampdoria escaped a first relegation to the third tier of Italian football.

When Salernitana players were ordered off the field due to unrest from Salernitana supporters in the stands, the former Serie A champions had a 2-0 lead on the night and 4-0 on the aggregate.

Gian Marco Ferrari thought he had given Salernitana the lead midway through the first half, but his goal was later declared invalid for handball.

Massimo Coda scored for Sampdoria four minutes later before Giuseppe Sibilli’s 4-0 aggregate lead.

Following the second goal, Salerno’s home fans immediately turned their teams on themselves, with relegation to Serie C seemingly in sight.

With only 65 minutes left on the clock, the players were removed from the field after the game was stopped numerous times. They were then thrown chairs, firecrackers, and chairs.

Riot police made an effort to restore order to the situation when players from both sides were present in the dressing room.

Ten minutes later, when objects started to rain again, the game was abandoned, according to Referee Daniele Doveri.

Due to their higher position in the table, Salernitana only needed an overall draw to maintain their lead.

Following a severe food poisoning outbreak in the Salernitana camp, the play-off’s second round was originally scheduled for Friday.