One of Italy’s most illustrious clubs were condemned to the third tier in May, after Sampdoria failed to escape the drop on the final day. However, an absurd lifeline could be handed to them, with Brescia potentially facing Serie B relegation amid an ongoing investigation into irregular payments.
Has Sampdoria Been Relegated?
As it stands, Sampdoria will be plying their trade in the third tier of Italian football for the first time in their history.
Four-time Coppa Italia winners and Serie A champions in 1990-91, Sampdoria’s pedigree as one of Italy’s most successful clubs has all but vanished after slipping into the depths of Serie B, a year after relegation from the top-flight.
I Blucerchiati finished 18th on 41 points — two from safety — but an astonishing turn of events could mean their relegation to Serie C may be overturned.
How Many Teams Get Relegated in Serie B?
Before delving into the specifics, it is important to establish how relegation in Serie B is decided.
At the end of each season, four teams are relegated from Serie B to Serie C, with the bottom three sides dropping down directly.
The side that finishes in 17th will also automatically face the drop, unless the deficit between themselves and the team in 16th is four points or less.
Should that be the case, the fourth and final relegation spot is decided by a play-off, played over two legs.
That had been due to take place on Monday, May 19, between Salernitana and Frosinone. However, a shocking turn of events has seen the league take the drastic decision to suspend all play-off games.
How Sampdoria Could Be Spared Serie B Relegation
The suspension comes after Brescia were retrospectively docked four points, following an investigation that revealed irregularities in payments to players and staff throughout February.
The club themselves intend to appeal the sanction, claiming that they are the “victims of fraud”, according to president Massimo Cellino.
While the band of relegation-threatened teams anxiously await the conclusion of the investigation, a four-point deduction would completely change the complexion of the table.
Cosenza, Cittadella and Sampdoria were all originally relegated, with one of Salernitana or Frosinone due to join them following their relegation play-off.
If the four-point deduction is upheld, Brescia would be relegated, Frosinone spared, with Salernitana and Sampdoria in the relegation play-off instead.
However, the biggest beneficiaries of this potential scenario would undoubtedly be Frosinone, who would be bumped up to 15th and no longer have to participate in a survival play-off.
The potential swap that could occur in the two-legged tie has also angered Salernitana, who have hired lawyers and intend to appeal, should Sampdoria be named as their opponent instead of Frosinone.
Sky Sport Italia report their dismay comes having had less than 24 hours notice of the suspension ahead of the original relegation play-off.
