Moments before kick-off in the game between Sampdoria and Torino at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Ultras unfurled a banner reading ‘hands off Sampdoria’ as coach Dejan Stankovic and his players went over to applaud the supporters in the stands.
The tensions surrounding the supporters and the club’s owners have grown increasingly toxic over recent months, with the current proprietors looking to sell with Samp currently languishing at the bottom of the Serie A table.
According to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport in February, the club’s owner, Massimo Ferrero, is only willing to sell the club should he personally benefit from the deal.
Ferrero has been the majority shareholder of Sampdoria for eight years, but stepped down as club President in December 2021 after being arrested for allegations unrelated to Samp.
The club have racked up debts of over €150m and at various stages, have been behind on payments to players and members of staff.
With Sampdoria heading for a spell in Serie B at the conclusion of this season, supporters are now completely fed up with the running of their club.