The relegation of Salernitana to Serie C has been confirmed under highly controversial circumstances following a tumultuous Serie B relegation play-off that was deeply marred by crowd trouble. The second leg of this critical match took place on June 22, 2025, at the iconic Stadio Arechi in Salerno, Italy, where an intense and heated atmosphere surrounded the gathering of passionate supporters. Unfortunately, the match was interrupted after 65 minutes when Sampdoria was leading 2-0, putting them ahead 4-0 on aggregate. Despite the referee’s efforts to resume play, the situation escalated and ultimately resulted in the match being postponed by 48 hours, as both teams sought to maintain some semblance of order amidst the chaos.
This tumultuous matchup can be traced back to earlier events, specifically the first leg on June 15, when a shocking incident left a staggering 21 players and staff members from Salernitana ill. Following this, many individuals were taken to local hospitals via ambulance, leading to the cancellation of Monday’s scheduled training session. The CEO of Salernitana, Maurizio Milan, expressed his deep concern over the situation, stating, “We are sincerely shocked by what happened and by the series of events that risk undermining Salernitana’s regular and peaceful approach to the final and fundamental minutes of the season.” He continued by highlighting the physical and mental toll on his team, emphasizing that many were unable to resume training due to their ill health.
The culmination of these events unfortunately marked a significant downward trend for Salernitana, as they faced consecutive relegations, having finished last in Serie A during the 2023/24 season. The situation became dire, leaving The Granata to prepare for a new season in Italy’s third tier following a lackluster campaign that saw them end in a dismal 16th place in Serie B. According to league regulations, the relegation play-off was a necessary measure to determine the fourth team to descend.
Adding to the complexity of the relegation drama were the underlying events that led to Salernitana’s match against Sampdoria. Initially, Frosinone had been set to meet Salernitana, creating a different narrative altogether. However, a points deduction for Brescia shifted circumstances dramatically. Brescia’s fall from grace meant they were effectively relegated to Serie C, thereby ensuring Frosinone’s safety while opening a window for Sampdoria to stage their own great escape.
This season has undoubtedly proven to be challenging for Salernitana. The entirety of the events surrounding the play-offs, from the miraculous illness of players to the unfortunate disruptions that ensued during the critical matches, encapsulate a saga of stress and strife. The cruel irony is that while Salernitana was embroiled in chaos, Sampdoria managed to emerge victorious from these dire circumstances, ultimately resulting in Salernitana’s failure to secure their place in Serie B for the upcoming season.
As the dust settles from this chaotic series of matches, fans across Italy are left pondering the implications of such controversies in the sport, raising questions about the integrity of matches and the ability of clubs to maintain their footing amidst challenging situations. As Salernitana prepares for its upcoming challenges in Serie C, the club, its staff, and its devoted supporters will be looking towards rebuilding and strategizing to claw their way back to the higher echelons of Italian football.