Fan Chaos Halts Salernitana vs Sampdoria Serie B Relegation Playoff; Secures Samp's Survival
The match was paused multiple times due to the fans' actions before the players were taken to the dressing room, and the match was eventually called off.
Utter chaos breaks out at Salerno, much to the displeasure of the hometown faithful.
Sampdoria avoided their first-ever relegation to the third tier of Italian football on Sunday after a relegation play-off with Salernitana, which was prematurely stopped due to fan disorder.
Goals from Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli in each half would have secured survival for Sampdoria, the 1991 Italian champions, following a 2-0 victory in last weekend's first leg.
However, the second leg in Salerno was halted and eventually called off after 65 minutes when angry home fans threw flares, firecrackers, and seats onto the pitch at the Stadio Arechi.
Tension & chaos in stands amid Salernitana's Serie B playoff v Sampdoria.It was suspended after 65 mins with Samp leading 2-0 on night (4-0 agg) as chairs were thrown onto field.
Salernitana set for relegation to Serie C, with Samp to stay in 2nd tier. pic.twitter.com/u4lQ7Glu8e
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) June 22, 2025
The match was paused multiple times due to the fans' actions before the players were taken to the dressing room in hopes the crowd would calm down.
But they were only back on the pitch briefly before objects were again thrown, prompting referee Daniele Doveri to end the match and confirm Sampdoria's survival.
Sampdoria had finished the regular season in 18th place, in the relegation zone, after a goalless draw with Juve Stabia and Salernitana's victory over Cittadella on the final day.
The situation changed when Brescia received a points deduction for accounting and administrative violations, dropping them below Samp in the final standings: an adjustment that placed Sampdoria in the second of two relegation play-off spots, setting up their clash with Salernitana.
Sampdoria, who reported a loss of 40.7 million euros in their 2024 accounts, have faced financial difficulties for several seasons and flirted with relegation after making the Serie B play-offs last season.
They nearly went bankrupt following their relegation to Serie B in 2023, but were saved that summer by current president Matteo Manfredi and former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, who has since left the club.
(with agency inputs)
First Published:
June 23, 2025, 13:43 IST
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