Salernitana Request Play-Off Postponement After Food Poisoning Outbreak
Crisis Deepens for Salernitana as Key Play-off Game Looms Amidst Health Scare
- The incident has left much of the squad unable to train
- The club has submitted a formal request for postponement to Serie B authorities
- Salernitana have also called for a full investigation into the source of the outbreak
Salernitana have requested the postponement of the second leg of their Serie B relegation play-off against Sampdoria after a severe outbreak of food poisoning left players and staff hospitalized.
The club confirmed that 21 members of their travelling party fell ill during the flight back from Genoa, following a 2-0 defeat in Sunday’s first leg. The incident has left much of the squad unable to train ahead of the crucial return fixture, scheduled for Friday.
Salernitana, who were relegated from Serie A last season, now face the prospect of dropping into Serie C—Italy’s third tier—under highly challenging circumstances.
“We are truly shocked by what has happened, and by the events that now threaten to compromise Salernitana’s ability to approach the most decisive match of the season in a fair and composed manner,” said club CEO Maurizio Milan.
“At present, many players and staff members are not even able to report to the training ground.”
The club has submitted a formal request for postponement to Serie B authorities and reported a “general openness” from league officials to consider the situation. Salernitana have also called for a full investigation into the source of the outbreak, which they described as “widespread and serious.”
Originally, Salernitana were set to face Frosinone in the play-off. However, a four-point penalty handed to Brescia for financial misconduct saw them automatically relegated instead. Sampdoria, spared by Brescia’s punishment, stepped in to take Frosinone’s place in the relegation tie.
