Italian club Salernitana could be excluded from Serie A play at the beginning of 2022 if they don’t find a new owner. Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina warned the newly promoted team that the situation is serious, as the clock is ticking regarding their future in the league.
Last summer, Salernitana celebrated its return to the top flight following a 23-year absence. The party didn’t last for too long, however, as their results in Serie A weren’t what they hoped. Their ownership problem also added to their crisis on the pitch; Salernitana is owned by Claudio Lotito, who is also the Lazio boss.
Serie A rules don’t allow a single individual to control multiple teams, so Salernitana must come up with a solution to this problem fast, or they’ll be relegated halfway through the season. Right now, a trust is in charge of the club, with the mission to find a buyer by Dec. 31.
“There will not be any let-offs when it comes to the deadline for the sale of Salernitana. If there are not any new developments by Dec. 31, Salernitana are out,” the head of the Italian Football Association said.
“I wish Salernitana to find a buyer in the next 10 days, I remain convinced that it is possible. My respect for the city of Salerno and the fans is total, and I have shown it from the first moment,” Gravina added. “I can give the city great hope, but I haven’t made any promises. I am simply maintaining a coherent line, I am not sending the federation to slaughter,” he added.
Salernitana has won just eight points in the 18 games since the start of the campaign, placing them at the bottom of the Serie A table. They’ve won just two games this season, beating Genoa 1-0 and Venezia 2-1.
If they do survive the ownership issue, Salernitana will need to climb to at least 17th in order to avoid the drop at the end of the season. After 18 games, they are six points behind Spezia, who now sit 17th. Salernitana are at -140 to avoid relegation.
If Salernitana is excluded from Serie A in January, all its remaining matches will be awarded as 3-0 wins to clubs they were supposed to face.