Serie B relegation play-off between Sampdoria and Salernitana abandoned

After home fans poured smoke bombs and seats onto the pitch, Salernitana and Sampdoria’s second leg of the Serie B relegation playoff was postponed on Sunday.

When Salernitana players were ordered off the field after 65 minutes 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 aggregate.

A 3-0 win, according to Italian media, would likely result in Sampdoria’s eventual relegation to the third tier and a 5-0 overall victory.

The Italian champions of 1991, Sampdoria, were initially denied a place in the relegation playoff after receiving an eight-point docket, which gave them a chance to finish the season.

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.

Following last week’s 2-0 first-leg defeat, the traveling party’s 21 members made a formal request to reschedule the game.