Salernitana's Serie B survival hangs by a thread after bout of food poisoning
Salernitana's fight for survival has veered into chaos with a bout of food poisoning hospitalising much of the squad halfway through their showdown with Sampdoria.
The Serie B side, fighting to avoid dropping to Italy's third tier, have requested a postponement of the second leg of their relegation playoff on Friday because players and coaching staff remain too ill to train.
The drama unfolded on the plane back to Salerno after their 2-0 defeat in the first leg on Sunday, with 21 players and staff struck down, a large part requiring hospital treatment upon disembarking.
'We are truly shocked by what happened and by the series of events that risk jeopardising Salernitana's smooth and peaceful approach to the final and crucial minutes of the season,' the club chief executive, Maurizio Milan, said in a statement.
The mass sickness has left the southern Italian side in limbo, with the team unable to prepare for a match that could determine their future. After dropping out of Serie A last season, they face the prospect of consecutive relegations if they cannot overturn their first-leg deficit.
'Many players and staff, at the moment, are not even able to show up at the sports centre to resume training,' Milan said. The club said it had made informal contact with Serie B officials and received 'general openness' to evaluating their postponement request. Salernitana have also called for an investigation into the 'causes of this widespread and serious episode'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
KSI HUMBLED by UFC legend as YouTuber is forced to tap in just 17 SECONDS during grappling match
KSI was forced to tap out after just 17 seconds during a recent challenge with UFC fighter Demetrius Johnson. The YouTuber, who has also fought in a number of boxing bouts, set himself a target of lasting one minute in a grappling match with the former UFC flyweight champion. KSI started the contest on top of Johnson, seemingly in an advantageous position. However, he was beaten comfortably by the MMA man, an arm-lock forcing KSI to tap out just with just 17 seconds gone on the timer. 'He put up a wager, he put up a challenge,' explained Johnson. 'KSI does not grapple, he's more of a boxer. — ً. (@C0MB4TT) June 16, 2025 KSI last took to the ring for a boxing bout when he lost to pro fighter Tommy Fury back in 2023 'So I am always down for a challenge, especially someone who doesn't grapple as much. 'I am 145 pounds, he's 210. You guys might say he ain't 260, I understand that but we're gonna get a little bit of a grapple on and see if he can survive for one minute against me on the ground.' He did not. The pair exchanged high fives before starting the clock, Johnson quickly getting off the ground and flipping KSI onto his back. Johnson first went for the leg but decided on the YouTuber's arm, warning him the time to tap out would come soon. KSI quickly realised he was in trouble and wisely submitted. 'Oh my god,' he said after tapping out. 'Holy sh*t.' Johnson last fought in the UFC back in 2018. He lost his flyweight title to Henry Cejudo after a record 11 championship defences. Johnson was subsequently traded to the ONE Championship where he fought until his retirement in 2024. After rising to YouTube fame, KSI turned his hand to boxing, infamously fighting fellow streamer Logan Paul on two occasions. One was a draw, the other a KSI victory. In 2023, KSI lost to boxer and former Love Island star Tommy Fury. That was his last fight to date after a number of attempts to get back in the ring were cancelled.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Owen Farrell opens up on his 'overwhelming' 2023 Rugby World Cup nightmare for the first time after re-signing for Saracens - and leaves door open for England return
Owen Farrell has revealed for the first time how he was overwhelmed by the criticism he received during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Farrell, 33, came in for heavy criticism for his performances during the tournament despite England impressing en route to finishing in third place. The tournament saw the Red Rose missed out on a second World Cup after an agonising one-point defeat in the semi-finals to eventual champions South Africa. Following remarks about Farrell being an under-performer in the side, in the eyes of fans and pundits, the fly-half opted to step away from international duty after the toiurnament and has not played for England since. That also saw him leave his boyhood club Saracens at the end of the 2023-24 season to join French Top 14 side Racing 92. However, after just one season in the French capital, he announced on Monday that he would be returning to England after agreeing a two-year deal with Sarries. Speaking after news emerged that he would be leaving France after a solitary campaign, Farrell opened up on why he opted to take a break from the England set-up. He told The Telegraph: 'I felt like I was playing well enough towards the end of that year and wanted to kick on and enjoy playing with England and do the best that I can. What came after was tough because it was a lot. 'But it was only me not being able to deal with it. It was getting on top of me a bit. I have loved playing for England throughout my career. 'I could make sense of it all individually. I could make sense of the criticism, I could make sense of the booing, and I could make sense of everything that was going on. But put it all together and it felt like it was non-stop. 'In the past, when I was younger, people thought I didn't care. I did care. Everyone thinks that I didn't because I was competitive. 'But I overthink everything anyway, but I always just thought it was all just part of it, and I would fight against it and suppress it. I had wanted to enjoy it, but everything seemed to hit the fan after that.' Farrell's return means he is available to be selected by England once again, with Steve Borthwick's side set to embark on a summer tour of Argentina. It could even see him drafted into the Lions squad, coached by his father Andy, in the event of an injury crisis during their eagerly-anticipated series against Australia. The Lions will play Argentina in a warm-up match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday before jetting off Down Under. They will then play a series of warm-up matches before the first Test gets underway at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 19.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jadon Sancho targeted by surprise new club as Man United revive hopes of cashing in on wantaway £73m star
Napoli are interested in another signing from the Premier League not long after securing the services of Kevin de Bruyne from Manchester City. Jadon Sancho is now of interest to the Italian club, according journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. Sancho spent last year on loan at Chelsea after falling out of favour at Manchester United. He could have stayed at Stamford Bridge at a cost of £25 million, but the London club opted to instead pay a £5 million penalty to send him back to Old Trafford. Chelsea were unable to agree personal terms with Sancho, prompting the decision to send him back to Manchester. While at Chelsea, Sancho scored five goals and registered 10 assists as the club finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Conference League. While Sancho left United while Erik Ten Hag was still in charge, it appears unlikely he will return to favour under Ruben Amorim. With a departure widely expected, Napoli have emerged as a suitor to take Sancho back to the continent after a previous stint with Borussia Dortmund. He arrived in Manchester from Dortmund for £72.9 million in 2021 but United appear unlikely to recoup that much should they cash in on Sancho.
