Salernitana fans staged a protest against ‘owner’ Claudio Lotito and called for the club to be ‘liberated,’ as they could be thrown out of Serie A over the on-going sale problems.
They are bottom of the table and hosting Serie A leaders Inter this evening, a game you can follow on the LIVEBLOG.
This has been a chaotic week for Salernitana, who are still technically owned by Lotito.
Because Lotito already runs Lazio, he knew that he’d have to sell Salernitana following their promotion from Serie B in May, as one person cannot control two clubs in the same Italian division.
Deadlines have passed and been pushed back, with no sign of a buyer, and the FIGC could exclude Salernitana from Serie A after December 31.
The Lega Serie A clubs voted this week to postpone the deadline so they can at least see out the season, but there’s no guarantee the Federation will follow suit.
If they are excluded, Salernitana must start again from the amateur leagues and all their results will be wiped from the current campaign.
There were numerous banners at the Stadio Arechi this evening protesting against Lotito, who has never been popular with Salernitana fans, and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
‘Gravina, keep your promise,” read one. ‘Amateur, semi-pro or neighbourhood field, we’re with Salernitana whatever the level.
‘Liberate Salernitana!’
Inter ultras also made their presence known and their banner received a standing ovation from the local crowd.
‘You cannot buy and sell your faith at a marketplace. Solidarity with Salernitana fans.’
“Gravina mantieni la promessa … dilettanti, promozione o nei campi di periferia, la salernitana per noi non ha categoria”
La curva amaranto della #Salernitana prima di #SalernitanaInter #Lotito pic.twitter.com/nOWAxIBZ6P
— franco vanni (@franvanni) December 17, 2021