Why Have the Serie B Relegation Play-Offs Been Suspended and What Does Brescia Have to Do With It?

The conclusion of the 2024-2025 Serie B season has become very uncertain and chaotic due to the suspension of the relegation play-offs. Three teams are relegated from Serie B to Serie C each season, with the 16th and 17th-placed sides facing each other to avoid relegation. Currently, the standings are Brescia in 15th place with 43 points, Frosinone in 16th place with 43 points, Salernitana in 17th place with 42 points, Sampdoria in 18th place with 41 points, Citadela in 19th place with 40 points, and Cosenza in 20th place with 30 points. The regulation season had already ended on 13th May with Sampdoria, Citadela, and Cosenza set to be relegated, whereas Salernitana and Frosinone were supposed to play the first leg of their relegation play-off match on 19th May.

However, the relegation play-offs have since been suspended due to a breach of rules by Brescia. This is because the club's chairman (former Leeds United owner), Massimo Cellino paid for the wages of the club's players and staff in February using illegal paperwork which had irregularities. All clubs in Italy are required to prove their financial stability to play in any league.

If Brescia are found guilty of these charges, they will receive a four point deduction which will change how the season ends entirely. Brescia will then get relegated alongside Citadel and Cosenza since their point deduction will put them in 18th place with 39 points. Frosinone will then move to 15th place and Salernitana and Sampdoria (1992 UEFA Champions League finalist, formerly known as European Cup) will play a relegation play-off fixture.

Brescia’s Official Statement on the Potential Serie B Point Deduction

Amidst all this drama, around 700 Brescia fans protested outside the club's stadium against chairman Massimo Cellino, FIGC (Italian Football Federation), and even Serie B. Brescia's official statement reads, “Following the disturbing news reports that emerged today and the conclusion of the investigation conducted by the FIGC into alleged irregularities in payments, Brescia announces that it will appeal to any sporting and non-sporting body to protect its position, believing that it has correctly complied with the federal deadlines.”

It remains to be seen how Brescia's appeal works out for the Italian outfit. Meanwhile the leagues' bottom teams' Serie B future remains in limbo.