The Serie B relegation playoff second leg between Salernitana and Sampdoria was abandoned on Sunday, June 22, 2025, due to unruly behavior from the home fans, guaranteeing Sampdoria's survival in the second tier of Italian football. The match, held at Salernitana's Stadio Arechi, was initially suspended in the 65th minute after supporters hurled objects onto the pitch, including smoke bombs and seats.
Sampdoria held a 2-0 lead on the night, extending their aggregate advantage to 4-0 after winning the first leg 2-0 at home. Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli scored the goals for Sampdoria in the second leg, further fueling the frustration of the Salernitana faithful. The referee, Daniele Doveri, briefly resumed play after the initial stoppage, but the chaotic scenes persisted, forcing him to abandon the match definitively.
According to reports from Italian media, Sampdoria is likely to be awarded a 3-0 victory, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate score. This outcome secures their Serie B status and averts what had seemed like an almost certain relegation to Serie C.
The events leading up to the playoff were filled with drama. Sampdoria, the 1991 Italian champions, had initially been relegated to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history. However, they were granted a reprieve when Brescia were docked eight points for administrative and accounting irregularities, which placed Sampdoria in the relegation playoff spot instead.
Adding to the tension, the second leg was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed to Sunday after a severe outbreak of food poisoning affected 21 Salernitana players and staff following their return from the first leg in Genoa. Some individuals required hospitalization.
Sampdoria had been grappling with financial difficulties in recent seasons, posting a loss of 40.7 million euros in their 2024 accounts. They narrowly avoided financial collapse after being relegated to Serie B in 2023, thanks to the intervention of current president Matteo Manfredi and former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani.
The abandonment of the match underscores the intense pressure and emotions surrounding relegation battles in Italian football. While Sampdoria can celebrate their survival, Salernitana faces the prospect of relegation. The Italian football authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the fan disorder and impose sanctions on Salernitana.
