Salernitana blast players, exclude Dia from squad

Salernitana President Danilo Iervolino lectured the squad today on their ‘unacceptable’ recent performances and behaviour, confirming Boulaye Dia must train separately.

They are rock bottom of the Serie A table and it would take a genuine miracle for them to avoid relegation now.

Matters have not particularly improved under third coach of the campaign Fabio Liverani, after Paulo Sousa and Pippo Inzaghi were already sacked.

President Iervolino visited the training ground today along with CEO Maurizio Milan and according to reports he spoke to coach Liverani and the squad for an hour and a half.

A statement was released by the club confirming that the President “asked for the utmost effort and professionalism, reiterating strongly that recent behaviour was unacceptable.”

The reference of course was to striker Boulaye Dia, who Liverani claims refused to come off the bench during the final 10 minutes of the Serie A match against Udinese.

As a response to that refusal, Salernitana announced that Dia will from now on be training separately from the rest of the squad.

Iervolino took over the club from Lazio chief Claudio Lotito in January 2022 and managed to keep them in the top flight, but that seems to be slipping away this time.

“I am disappointed, as I put so much faith in everyone, but I realised in football the only people you can put faith in is the fans, who never stop giving love, passion and sacrifice for these colours,” was a direct quote from Iervolino in the club statement.

“Now we must roll up our sleeves and prove what we are worth in these final months of the season. We must be united and all work in the same direction. We must all prove what we are made of.”