Sampdoria are headed for Serie C for the first time in their history - or are they?
We don’t know the answer to that question yet, and apparently a 38-game season in which Sampdoria finished 18th wasn’t enough to decide it.
Now I know what you’re asking: “Why do we care at all about Sampdoria? Is Ange in or out? Tell me you coward!”
Settle down, my dear hoddlers. Some things are more important than the future of Tottenham Hotspur’s manager. One of those things is the second-tier Italian football club that Spurs loaned Harry Winks out to two seasons ago.
According to The Athletic, Italian football’s supervisory body informed Serie B that it was investigating Brescia over alleged financial irregularities.
The penalty would be a four-point deduction if they are found guilty, which would push Sampdoria into the relegation playoffs.
The relegation playoff between Frosinone and Salernitana has since been postponed. If Brescia are found guilty, then Frosinone would be safe from relegation altogether.
Brescia said it would appeal. Here’s the English translation:
Following the press reports that emerged today and the notice of conclusion of the investigation received from the FIGC for alleged irregularities in payments, Brescia Calcio Spa announces that it will appeal to any sporting venue and, if necessary, extra-sporting venue, to protect its position believing that it has correctly fulfilled the federal deadlines and acted in accordance with state and sporting regulations.
The stakes are huge. No one wants to be relegated to Serie C. That’s where football dreams go to die. And it would be a huge shame if Sampdoria fell into that black hole.
But this is Italian football and twists are aplenty.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Got My Mind Set On You, by George Harrison
And now for your links:
The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham’s player of 2024-25: Pedro Porro – nobody gave them more”
ESPN: “Man United suffer post-season defeat to ASEAN All-Stars”
BBC: “Head coach Muslic to leave Plymouth amid Schalke link”