Sampdoria are fighting for survival both on and off the pitch. The Blucerchiati drew 0-0 against Inter in their last Serie A game, their second in a row without losses, but they’re still second to last eight points away from safety.
Dejan Stankovic’s side have won just one of their last 11 league games, with eigth losses in this same period, and the financial difficulties faced by the board could have cost an harsh penalty.
As reported by Il Secolo XIX, Sampdoria could have received a two-point deduction for failing payments but the scenario has been avoided thanks to the players who have renounced to one month’s salary.
Specifically, today is the deadline for Serie A teams to pay October, November and December’s salaries. Overall Sampdoria have to pay €10,5 million but the money generated by the January’s transfer window has not been enough to cover these costs.
In order to avoid point deductions, Sampdoria’s players have reportedly decided to temporarily forfeit one month’s salary so that the board could cover the rest of the costs and dodge penalties. If the club will avoid relegation, the players will receive the entire sum due as bonus at the end of the season otherwise they will receive only a part of it.
It has been reported that Roberto D’Aversa and Marco Giampaolo, former Sampdoria’s coaches still under contract with the club after their firings, have too agreed to this deal.
Outside the pitch, the board is struggling to find a new owner. Talks with London fund Merlyn Partners SCSp have been interrupted in early January as former president Massimo Ferrero forced his hand and neither him or any of his representatives showed up for the shareholders’ meeting that should have ratified the sale of the club.
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Andrea Agostinelli | IGNF
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