Sampdoria are on the verge of avoiding relegation to Serie C after their Serie B relegation playoff second leg against Salernitana was abandoned due to crowd trouble. The match, held at Salernitana's Stadio Arechi on Sunday, June 22, 2025, was called off in the 65th minute after angry home fans began throwing flares, firecrackers, and seats onto the pitch.
Sampdoria were leading 2-0 on the night, extending their aggregate lead to 4-0, when the chaos erupted. Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli scored for Sampdoria, further fueling the frustration of the Salernitana supporters. The referee, Daniele Doveri, initially halted the match several times in an attempt to restore order, but the situation quickly deteriorated. The players were eventually led off the field as riot police intervened to try and control the unruly crowd. After a brief attempt to resume the game, with objects continuing to rain down from the stands, the match was ultimately abandoned.
According to reports from Italian media outlets, Sampdoria are likely to be awarded a 3-0 victory by default, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate win. This would ensure their survival in Serie B, while Salernitana would face the prospect of relegation to Serie C. Salernitana's CEO, Maurizio Milan, has already conceded that the club will be playing in Serie C next season. This marks a second consecutive relegation for Salernitana, who were demoted from Serie A to Serie B just a year prior.
The events leading up to the chaotic playoff were filled with drama. Sampdoria initially finished the regular season in the relegation zone, but a points deduction handed to Brescia for financial irregularities changed the landscape. Brescia's demotion elevated Sampdoria into the relegation playoff spot, setting up the encounter with Salernitana. Furthermore, the second leg of the playoff was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to a severe outbreak of food poisoning within the Salernitana camp, affecting a significant number of players and coaching staff.
Sampdoria, who were Italian champions in 1991, narrowly avoided what would have been their first-ever relegation to Serie C in their 78-year history. The club has faced significant financial challenges in recent years, posting a loss of 40.7 million euros in their 2024 accounts. They were on the brink of collapse after being relegated to Serie B in 2023 but were rescued by current president Matteo Manfredi and former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani. In an attempt to salvage their season, club icons Alberico Evani and Attilio Lombardo were appointed as coaches in April, marking the fourth managerial change of the season. Despite the turmoil, Sampdoria now appear poised to remain in Serie B, while Salernitana face a difficult rebuilding process in Serie C.
