Sampdoria’s return to training on Friday was marred by angry scenes at the club’s Bogliasco training ground, as dozens of supporters protested following the club’s dramatic relegation to Serie C. The session, led by coach Alberico Evani, was interrupted by chants, threats, and the forced surrender of players’ training shirts.
Fans gathered outside the Mugnaini sports complex hours before the team’s arrival. Riot police and security forces were deployed in large numbers, including armoured vehicles and crowd-control units, as tensions flared. Supporters shouted insults at players and staff, directing chants at both the team and club leadership. At one point, protesters were permitted inside the facility, where they demanded the players hand over their training tops. The shirts were eventually collected into a bag and handed over by a staff member as players watched on in silence.
The club later stated that the gesture was agreed in advance, with the shirts intended as a donation to a local children’s hospital. However, the mood during the confrontation was far from charitable, with some fans reportedly warning players to “watch their backs” as they left the pitch. The team did not complete their scheduled training session.
In a separate series of incidents earlier in the week, groups of ultras targeted the homes of players in Genoa. Flares and smoke bombs were set off outside the residences of key players including Massimo Coda and Matteo Ricci, while damage was reported to a parked vehicle nearby. Another disturbance occurred at the home of forward Mbaye Niang, where players were present at the time. In a further escalation, an abusive banner was placed outside the home of former club president Edoardo Garrone.
These acts of intimidation follow a season that ended in heartbreak for the club. Sampdoria failed to secure safety in Serie B, finishing 18th and suffering their first relegation to the third tier in the club’s 78-year history. The team underwent multiple managerial changes, starting with Andrea Pirlo and cycling through Andrea Sottil and Leonardo Semplici before Evani was brought in during the final stretch of the campaign. Despite a brief resurgence, a run of draws and defeats sealed their fate.
Supporter anger has focused not only on recent performances but also on the long-term mismanagement of the club. Fans have criticised past presidents and current owners for the lack of stability, poor recruitment, and absence of a coherent plan. Groups have called for accountability and are planning further demonstrations in the coming days.
With tensions still high, the atmosphere around the club remains volatile. Training sessions are now held under strict security, and players are being escorted by police as they attempt to prepare for a season that will begin far from the top-flight stage they once called home. Sampdoria now faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding from the bottom, both on the pitch and in its relationship with its disillusioned fanbase.
