Pig head and death threats left outside Sampdoria HQ as club slam 'attack'

The discovery was made on Saturday morning, a week after a 2-1 loss to Bologna saw their Serie A struggles continue.

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The Genovese club sit second from bottom in the Italian top division on 11 points - six behind Hellas Verona in the final relegation zone spot and eight adrift of safety.

Defeat to Bologna increased the likelihood of their demotion to Serie B, ending an 11-year stay in Serie A, even with Tottenham loan star Harry Winks returning to fitness.

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Meanwhile, off the pitch, the club is in crisis with owner Massimo Ferrero turning down an offer for the club despite looking to sell having stepped down as president.

Ferrero had previously been sent bullets in the post, and the campaign against him and Antonio Romei has stepped up with the club needing to strike a financial deal with players and staff to avoid a points deduction, which could yet come at the end of the season.

The pig's head was left outside the club headquarters, with a note inside the package reading: 'Massimo Ferrero, Antonio Romei, the next heads will be yours'.

A statement on the club's website read: "UC Sampdoria expresses deep indignation and indignation in the face of the umpteenth serious act of intimidation that took place this morning at the company headquarters in Piazza Borgo Pila.

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"The company underlines that any type of attack on a member of the Board of Directors represents an attack on all its members, on their work and on the seriousness and abnegation with which they have approached this important position.

"Since its appointment, the BoD has operated in cohesion, unity of purpose and independence with the sole purpose of ensuring the continuation of Sampdoria's corporate and sporting activity pending the transition to new ownership.

"Precisely in this direction, the professionalism and preparation of the vice-president Antonio Romei are fundamental, with whom the Board hopes to be able to continue sharing this delicate phase in the life of the club."