Much of squad in hospital after ‘serious episode’ Double relegation looms after playoff first leg defeat Salernitana’s fight for survival has veered into chaos with a bout of food poisoning hospitalising much of the squad halfway through their showdown with Sampdoria. The Serie B side, fighting to avoid dropping to Italy’s third tier, have requested a postponement of the second leg of their relegation playoff on Friday because players and coaching staff remain too ill to train. Continue reading...

One of the most beloved Italian clubs of the past 40 years now face a long way back to return to glory days It was not meant to go like this. On a Tuesday evening on the outskirts of Naples, Sampdoria – one of the most beloved Italian clubs of the past 40 years – slipped into Serie C with a whimper – the first time in the club’s history that they have been relegated to Italy’s third tier. At the final whistle, following a dismal goalless draw at Juve Stabia, Sampdoria’s players wept on the pitch. Back home, fans of the club’s intercity rivals, Genoa, spilled out on to the shared streets in celebration, setting off fireworks, chanting “Sampdoria is no more”. That is not quite the case, but it’s going to be a long way back for Il Doria, who have long been more accustomed to battling with Juventus than Juve Stabia. Continue reading...

Sampdoria have been relegated to the third tier of Italian football for the first time in their 78-year history.