A derby match in the lower reaches of Italian football has been abandoned after just 19 minutes this afternoon amid controversy, as Nocerina used a string of substitutions and injuries to get the match called off early on.
Nocerina players were reportedly reluctant to play against their local rivals Salernitana today after receiving threats from their own supporters, who were unhappy about being banned from attending the contest.
The Lega Pro clash kicked off more than 40 minutes late after Nocerino players refused to leave their team coach, but once the match got underway, it became clear that the visitors were intent on not completing a full game.
Inside two minutes Nocerino coach Gaetano Fontana made three substitutions, with five outfield players then limping off citing injuries in quick succession.
Both teams then had a player sent off for fighting, leaving Nocerina with just six players left on the pitch.
The referee was forced to abandon the match at that point, leading Salernitana coach Carlo Perrone to describe the incident as a "terrible page in the history of football," according to Football Italia.
