Serie B chaos: Why relegation play-outs suspended and what happens next | OneFootball

The Serie B relegation play-outs have officially been postponed pending a decision on Brescia irregular payments, as Massimo Cellino’s club could be docked four points and transform the table.

The Serie B regular season finished on Tuesday with Sassuolo and Pisa promoted to Serie A.

The promotion play-offs have already begun, with Catanzaro beating Cesena 1-0 and Juve Stabia defeating Palermo 1-0.

The semi-finals are set up between Juve Stabia and Cremonese, while Catanzaro take on Spezia.

Serie B relegation shaken up by scandal

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Genoa fans celebrate Sampdoria’s relegation to Serie C, Italian third tier, prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Atalanta at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

At the end of the season, Cosenza, Cittadella and Sampdoria were relegated to Serie C, with Salernitana and Frosinone set to face off in a relegation play-out, scheduled to begin with the first leg on Monday May 19.

However, the Lega Serie B announced today that the relegation play-outs were suspended indefinitely pending “clarification” from the sporting justice system.

This is because Brescia, who are owned by former Cagliari and Leeds United patron Massimo Cellino, paid for February’s staff and player wages using paperwork that had irregularities.

BRESCIA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Brescia Calcio President Massimo Cellino looks on during the Serie A match between Brescia Calcio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Mario Rigamonti on February 9, 2020 in Brescia, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Clubs in Italy must prove their financial stability to maintain registration in the professional leagues.

If Brescia are found guilty of financial irregularities, they could be docked four points, which would drop them down from 43 points to just 39, behind Sampdoria and Salernitana.

It would change the table entirely, sending Brescia down to Serie C with Cittadella and Cosenza, saving Frosinone, but setting up a relegation play-out between Salernitana and Sampdoria.