Official: Salernitana request postponement of Sampdoria game as players hospitalised | OneFootball

Salernitana confirm they have requested a postponement of their second leg Serie B play-out tie against Sampdoria, after players and staff members were hospitalised due to a suspected food poisoning outbreak.

The Salerno side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria yesterday evening in the first leg, with goals from Melle Meulensteen and Marco Curto granting the Blucerchiati a home victory to keep their Serie B survival dreams alive.

SALERNO, ITALY – JANUARY 04: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view Stadio “Arechi” before the Serie A match between Salernitana and AC Milan at Stadio Arechi on January 04, 2023 in Salerno, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Salernitana confirmed in an official statement that 21 of their team members, including players and staff, have fallen ill due to a suspected food poisoning outbreak.

“The situation required the intervention of ambulances upon arrival of the group at the Airport of Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and the subsequent hospitalisation of most of those involved,” Salernitana said.

The hospitalised players and staff reportedly consumed packed lunches on their chartered flights, which are presently thought to be responsible for the outbreak of food poisoning. Salernitana have sent the remains of the food to be analysed and have also informed Genoa police, so that the appropriate investigations may be carried out.

Serie B play-out second leg at risk

Salernitana have also confirmed that they had already requested to postpone the second-leg tie against Sampdoria, currently scheduled for Friday, June 20.

Sampdoria, meanwhile, will be back in training to prepare for the return fixture, giving them the opportunity to redeem themselves in the eyes of their fans. Narrowly escaping automatic relegation to Serie C thanks to the point deduction awarded to Brescia,