Salernitana experienced a true nightmare. © Salernitana Calcio

16 players in hospital: Chaos again in Serie B

As if the Serie B playoffs weren't bizarre enough, this story now has a new chapter: 16 Salernitana players had to be hospitalized.

June 16, 2025

From: det

The Serie B playoffs are a chaotic affair. Because of the Brescia trial, the relegation playoffs had to be postponed, and that's why the showdown between Sampdoria and Salernitana isn't taking place until now, a month after the end of the championship. after Sampdoria’s 2-0 first leg win, These playouts will be enriched by another bizarre chapter.

Half of Salernitana's team contracted food poisoning in Genoa. No fewer than 16 team members, including eight players, had to be taken to the hospital after the return flight.

Half of the Salernitana team had to go to the hospital.

What happened? Two hours after the defeat against Sampdoria, the Salernitana players boarded a plane and headed for Salerno. From the hotel in Genoa where the Serie B players had been staying, the team received food boxes, including rice. Shortly after departure, the first players began complaining of gastrointestinal problems, which worsened over time. As the Journal of Sport reported that there were real horror scenes on the plane, and many of those involved suffered severe pain.

Will the return match be postponed?

In Salerno, four ambulances and private vehicles were waiting at the airport, transporting a total of 16 team members to the hospital. Most were released after a few hours, but some players remain under observation. While police conducted investigations at the hotel on Monday, Salernitana canceled the training session scheduled for today.

The club has also submitted a request to the league to postpone the return match against Sampdoria, scheduled for Friday. "Many players and coaches are currently unable to even get to the training ground," commented Salernitana CEO Maurizio Milan. It's quite possible, then, that the Serie B playoffs will drag on even further.