SAMPDORIA’S team bus was attacked with sticks and stones by the club’s supporters when it arrived back in Genoa following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by leaders AC Milan, the relegation- threatened side said yesterday.

Reports said windows of the bus were broken and players received death threats. “No sporting result, however negative, can justify actions like those which happened on the team’s return from Milan,” a club statement said.

“The situation is delicate but the only way we can get out of it is by remaining united.”

AC Milan took another big step towards the Serie A title with that win while troubled champions Inter Milan lost.

Third-placed Inter are now eight points adrift after a shock 2-0 defeat at lowly Parma, meaning their hopes of a sixth straight scudetto are almost over.

Inter, dumped out of the Champions League as holders by Schalke in midweek, suffered a hangover at Parma who boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation.

On-loan Juventus duo Sebastian Giovinco and Amauri did the damage.