Sampdoria have released a statement condemning the ‘latest serious act of intimidation’ against the club after a pig’s head was left outside their headquarters.
The tension has been sky high in recent months with the very future of the club at stake, as patron Massimo Ferrero rejected an offer from American investors Merlyn Partners to buy out Samp.
He had to strike a deal with players and staff in order to meet the deadline and avoid a points penalty for unpaid wages, with a similar situation on the horizon for the end of the season.
A pig’s head was left outside the club headquarters this morning and there was a note inside the package that read: ‘Massimo Ferrero, Antonio Romei, the next heads will be yours.’
Sampdoria released a formal statement.
“Sampdoria express profound disgust and indignation when faced with the latest serious act of intimidation that occurred this morning outside the club headquarters in piazza Borgo Pila.
“The club underlines that any attack on a member of the Board of Directors represents an attack on all its components, their work and the abnegation with which they have approached this important role.
“Since the start, the Board of Directors has operated with cohesion, unity and independence with the only aim of ensuring the continuation of Sampdoria as a club and sporting entity, awaiting the transition to new owners.
“In this direction, the work of vice-president Antonio Romei has been fundamental and the Board of Directors hopes to continue sharing with him this delicate phase in the life of the club.”
Certain figures around Sampdoria have been taking their protests much too far, as before the pig’s head was left outside, a letter containing a bullet had been sent to the club headquarters in recent weeks.