Derby abandoned as Board resign

Bizarre Italian derby abandoned as visitors Nocerina reduced to six men after 21 minutes





A derby match in Italy’s third-tier Lega Pro Prima Divisione was abandoned after one team were bizarrely reduced to six players after just 21 minutes’ play.

The clash between hosts Salernitana and Nocerina kicked off 40 minutes late because the visiting players had refused to leave their team bus, reportedly unnerved by alleged death threats they had received from their fans, who were angry at being banned from attending the game.

However, after being persuaded to play by league officials, it seems the visitors had a cunning plan to ultimately have the match halted.

Nocerina made their three permitted substitutions in the first two minutes and over the next 17 minutes five other players ‘limped off’.

That left them with below the minimum number of players on the pitch to continue, forcing the referee to call a halt to proceedings.

Nocerina’s director of sport Luigi Pavarese claimed the hat-trick of early subs was a ‘management decision’ and the injury count was so high ‘because they went out there without warming up’.

The southern club’s entire board of directors has now resigned and players ordered not to speak to the media, while the league has opened an investigation into the farcical events.