Sampdoria came back from the changing rooms to applaud their travelling fans after the game had been abandoned Sampdoria will remain in Serie B after the league awarded them a 3â0 win over Salernitana following the postponement of Sunday's second-leg relegation play-off. Thegame was called off in the 65th minutewith Sampdoria leading 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate after Salernitana fans threw smoke bombs and seats on to the pitch. The decision by Serie B's sports judge to award Sampdoria a 3-0 victory secured a 5-0 aggregate win and guaranteed their escape from what had seemed certain relegation to the third tier. The former Italian champions were initially relegated to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history in May before being handed a lifeline after the season ended when Brescia were docked eight points for a series of financial violations, dropping them below Sampdoria and granting the Genoa club a place in the relegation play-off. Frustration for the home fans began during the early stages of the second leg when Gian Marco Ferrari thought he had scored the opener before the goal was ruled out for handball. Four minutes, later Massimo Coda handed the visitors the lead before Giuseppe Sibilli made it 4-0 on aggregate just after the break. The home fans in Salerno immediately turned on their team following the second goal, with relegation to Serie C looking all but certain, as flares, firecrackers and chairs were thrown on to the field. Salernitana have been relegated for the second successive year and the club have also been ordered to play two matches of next season's Serie C campaign behind closed doors.
Sampdoria stay up after play-off postponed due to fan unrest
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sampdoria Avoid Relegation Following Postponement of Play-Off Due to Fan Violence"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Sampdoria secured their place in Serie B following a dramatic turn of events during the relegation play-off against Salernitana. The match was abandoned in the 65th minute after Sampdoria was leading 2-0, making the aggregate score 4-0 in their favor. The abandonment occurred due to violent protests from Salernitana fans, who threw smoke bombs and seats onto the pitch, prompting the referee to halt play. In light of these events, Serie B's sports judge awarded Sampdoria a 3-0 victory for the match, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate win. This decision effectively guaranteed Sampdoria's survival in Serie B, lifting them from the brink of relegation to the third tier of Italian football, which would have marked their first drop to Serie C in nearly eight decades of history.
Sampdoria's journey this season has been tumultuous, as they were initially relegated to Serie C after a disappointing campaign. However, a subsequent points deduction for Brescia due to financial infractions allowed Sampdoria to reclaim their position in the relegation play-off. The match itself was fraught with tension, beginning with a disallowed goal for Sampdoria that led to frustration among the Salernitana supporters. As the visitors took control of the game, the home crowd's mood soured, culminating in the chaotic scenes that led to the match's abandonment. Following this incident, Salernitana faced their own relegation for the second consecutive year and were also penalized with a requirement to play two matches of the upcoming Serie C season behind closed doors, reflecting the serious nature of the fan unrest during the match.
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