BY JOHN DAVIDSON
The Salford Red Devils crisis has hit a new low with the RFL advancing them more central distribution so the club could pay their players and face Castleford yesterday.
According to several sources, the RFL has given Salford an advance of around £130,000 so the club could pay its players on Friday. The fixture against the Tigers was in severe doubt if the players were not paid.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads approached the RFL about the matter today, with a spokesperson replying with “No comment”.
It is believed the RFL has given the Red Devils its monthly central distribution 10 days early to ensure the players turn out, but the club’s staff have still not been paid this month.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands the new owners of Salford have yet to clear the millions in debt that was sat with the club when they took it over in February, or pay back the £500,000 in central distribution that the Red Devils received from the governing body in December.
A new payment deadline of March 13 is believed to have now been set for the new Salford owners.
Last month rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads revealed that the members of the consortium that now owns the Super League club include New Zealanders Curtis Brown and Sosaia (also known as Isiosaia) Kailahi, and Englishman Kurt Graver.
None of Brown, Kailahi, Graver or consortium head Dario Berta have commented publicly or conducted an interview since taking control several weeks ago. New CEO Chris Irwin has also not responded to repeated requests for interview.
On March 4 Salford posted on X: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that the Club will be under the restriction of a sustainability cap for this weekend’s Betfred Super League fixture against Castleford Tigers on Friday 7th March.
“This is due to the delay of funding following the takeover with funds currently pending regulatory clearance. CEO Chris Irwin and the new ownership will meet with the Special Measures Committee and RL Commercial tomorrow morning.
“To our fans, we sincerely apologise, we know this is not an easy time to be a Salford Reds fan.
“We apologise to you on behalf of our new ownership who have assured the Club that the consortium is working to rectify the financial situation and there will be no further issues. Thank you for your patience and support.”
The RFL have claimed that the new owners have demonstrated proof of funds, but after weeks money has still yet to be transferred.
Salford and the RFL will now come under great scrutiny for their silence, lack of communication and their decision-making following this controversial move by the governing body to advance the club more money.
The RFL has been reeling from crisis after crisis in recent weeks. Apart from the Salford scandal, yesterday board director Sandy Lindsay resigned after months of pressure.
A group of clubs are also trying to oust chairman Simon Johnson, along with Lindsay, to force change at the governing body. At the same time RFL director Rob Hicks remains suspended, with no outcome into the investigation into him after six months.
Kerry Simmons, who worked under Hicks, was also suspended in September and last month quietly departed the organisation.
The RFL has also been criticised for its running of the women’s game after England were embarrassed 90-4 by the Jillaroos in Las Vegas.
Yesterday Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney slammed the RFL for its lack of explanation over its handling of the Salford issue.
He said: “There’s been, in my opinion, a distinct lack of communication from the leadership of this game. I haven’t heard from any significant figure to explain to people what exactly is going on.
“So when the salary cap restrictions are re-imposed and dispensations are then offered to cover for suspended players, everybody else, including Martin Jepson for example, the Castleford Tigers joint-owner, is going: ‘what’s going on here?’
“I’m doing my best to try and follow this situation and I am really struggling. They’re delivered in silence. You cannot find me an interview, a significant interview, with a figure of note that has got a leadership role in this game.
“Has Tony Sutton (RFL CEO) spoken to anybody publicly? Has he addressed this issue with the fans that follow the game of not just Castleford and Salford but all the other clubs?
“There’s silence. Leaders stand up.”
