Eight football players from the same team hospitalized as 21 club members suffer severe food poisoning

Eight Salernitana players were hospitalized with severe food poisoning just hours after a 2-0 defeat against Sampdoria in the first leg of a play-off aimed at avoiding relegation to the Italian third tier. The team fell ill during their chartered flight from Genoa, having consumed a meal prepared at their hotel.

Reports indicated that a total of 21 staff members, including the players, suffered from “gastrointestinal problems” and were in “excruciating pain.” Upon arriving at Salerno-Costa d’Amalfi Airport, multiple ambulances were dispatched, and some individuals required hospital treatment, though most were discharged shortly after.

Due to the illness affecting many team members, Salernitana canceled training and requested a postponement of their upcoming tie against Sampdoria. Club chief Maurizio Milan expressed shock at the events, stating that they could undermine the team’s crucial season-ending performance.

Milan noted, “We have already interfaced informally with the Lega Serie B, receiving a general openness to evaluate our requests. Many players and staff are not even able to show up at the sports centre to resume training.”

Local authorities in Genoa initiated an investigation at the hotel where the team stayed to determine the cause of the illness. Salernitana and Sampdoria, who finished 16th and 17th in Serie B, are competing to avoid relegation through a two-legged playoff.

The incident rekindles memories for Tottenham fans, whose team experienced similar turmoil in 2006 due to food poisoning affecting their players before a decisive match. With Champions League qualification on the line, Tottenham succumbed to a 2-1 loss against West Ham, ultimately missing out on European competition.