Serie B relegation play-off between Sampdoria and Salernitana abandoned following multiple cases of crowd trouble.
After home fans threw smoke bombs and seats onto the pitch, Sunday’s second leg of the Serie B relegation playoff between hosts Salernitana and Sampdoria was called off.
When players were told to leave the pitch after 65 minutes due to disturbances by Salernitana fans in the stands, the former Serie A winners were ahead 2-0 on the evening and 4-0 overall.
A 3-0 victory would give Sampdoria a 5-0 aggregate victory and ensure their escape from what had appeared to be definite relegation to the third division, according to Italian media.
Originally demoted to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history, Sampdoria—the 1991 Italian champions—were given a lifeline at the end of the season when Brescia was docked eight points, putting them below Sampdoria and guaranteeing the Genoa team a spot in the relegation playoffs.
Gian Marco Ferrari thought he had given Salernitana the lead halfway through the first half, but his goal was disallowed for handball, sparking anger early in the game.
Massimo Coda gave Sampdoria the lead four minutes later, and just after the interval, Giuseppe Sibilli made it 4-0 overall.
With relegation to Serie C seemingly certain after the second goal, the Salerno home crowd instantly turned against their club.
Before the players were removed off the field with 65 minutes remaining, the game was repeatedly stopped and flares, firecrackers and chairs were thrown onto the pitch.
Riot police attempted to bring the scene under control while players from both sides were in the locker room.
Ten minutes later, referee Daniele Doveri tried to restart the action, but the contest was called off as debris started to fall again.