Salernitana's Serie B season has taken a dramatic and potentially devastating turn following a severe outbreak of food poisoning within the team. The incident, which has hospitalized a significant portion of the squad and coaching staff, has thrown their survival in Serie B into serious doubt as they face a crucial relegation play-out against Sampdoria.

The chaos unfolded after Salernitana's 2-0 defeat to Sampdoria in Genoa on Sunday. On the flight back to Salerno, a large number of players and staff began experiencing severe gastrointestinal distress. Upon landing at Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport, ambulances were called to transport 21 affected individuals to hospitals in Salerno and Battipaglia. The club has confirmed that the food poisoning is suspected to have originated from packed lunches consumed on their chartered flight. The club has sent the remains of the food for analysis and has also informed Genoa police to carry out investigations.

The severity of the situation has prompted Salernitana to formally request a postponement of the second-leg match against Sampdoria, which is scheduled for Friday. With a significant number of players and staff still recovering from the food poisoning, the team is unable to train, leaving them in a precarious position for such a critical match. CEO Maurizio Milan expressed his shock at the events and the potential impact on the team's approach to the final stages of the season, stating that many players and staff are not even able to show up at the sports center to resume training.

After being relegated from Serie A last season, Salernitana now faces the very real threat of consecutive relegations. The club is already dealing with a two-goal deficit from the first leg against Sampdoria. Overcoming this disadvantage was going to be a challenge in itself, but the food poisoning outbreak has added an unprecedented layer of difficulty.

Salernitana has already contacted Serie B officials to discuss the possibility of postponing the match. According to the club, there has been "general openness" to evaluating their request. However, time is of the essence, as the return leg is fast approaching. A decision from league authorities is expected soon.

In addition to seeking a postponement, Salernitana has also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the food poisoning outbreak. The club is determined to understand how such a widespread and serious incident occurred, especially given the high stakes of their current situation. The team's nutritionist reportedly instructed the hotel on how to prepare the takeaway meal that they consumed. The police are investigating how the food got contaminated.

The incident has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Salernitana's future. The team, which finished the season in 17th place, has already had a tumultuous year marked by inconsistent performance and four managerial changes. Now, as they fight to maintain their Serie B status, they face an unexpected and formidable opponent in the form of a mass food poisoning.

The coming days will be crucial for Salernitana. The priority is the health and recovery of the affected players and staff. The club hopes to receive a favorable response to their postponement request. The integrity of the competition is now in question.