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Sampdoria remain in Serie B as officials award 3-0 win after Salernitana fan trouble

Sampdoria players celebrate after Sunday's match was suspended
Sampdoria players celebrate after Sunday's match was suspendedGIUSEPPE MAFFIA / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
Sampdoria have pulled off a great escape as Serie B officials awarded them a 3-0 win over Salernitana on Monday after the second leg of the relegation play-off was abandoned, securing another season in Italy’s second tier.

The match between hosts Salernitana and Sampdoria was abandoned on Sunday after home fans threw smoke bombs and seats onto the pitch, with a Serie B sports judge ruling that Sampdoria would be awarded the win.

Sampdoria have now a 5-0 aggregate victory after their first-leg win, confirming their escape from what had seemed like certain relegation to the third tier only a month ago.

The Genoa club were initially relegated to Serie C for the first time in their 78-year history in May, only to be handed a lifeline after Brescia were docked points for financial irregularities, dropping them below Sampdoria.

For Salernitana, the season ended on a very sour note, with the Salerno club also ordered to play two matches behind closed doors, marking their second consecutive relegation in as many seasons.