A PLAYOFF match in Italy has been called off after angry fans launched flares, firecrackers and seats onto the pitch.
Players were ordered from the field 65 minutes into Sampdoria’s relegation showdown with Salernitana.
Sampdoria led 2-0 at the Stadio Arechi on Sunday night and 4-0 on aggregate in the tie.
Angry Salernitana fans turned on their team midway through the second half as relegation loomed.
Riot police had to intervene amid chaotic scenes, with the players taken into the dressing rooms as flares were launched from the terraces.
Referee Daniele Doveri attempted to get the game restarted ten minutes later.
But more flares and seats rained down onto the pitch.
The match was later abandoned, with Sampdoria avoiding relegation to Serie C for what would have been the first time in their history.
Massimo Coda and Giuseppe Sibilli had found the net for Sampdoria either side of half-time to take control of the playoff.
Salernitana only needed an aggregate draw to stay up due to their higher placing in the table.
Fan anger began to build in the first half after Gian Piero Ferrari had a goal ruled out for offside.
And the Stadio Arechi erupted after Sibilli’s goal just after the restart.
Following last week’s first leg, EIGHT Salernitana players were rushed to hospital due to severe food poisoning.
The game was moved from Friday night to Sunday as a result.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim many started to feel sick after eating a meal on board a chartered flight that had been prepared at the team’s hotel.
In total, 21 members of staff, including eight players, were said to be suffering with “gastrointestinal problems” and were in “excruciating pain”.
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