Paul Rowley is confident Salford Red Devils’ players and staff will be paid by next week with the threat of a sustainability cap being reimposed looming.
As first reported by All Out Rugby League, the Red Devils squad were informed they would not be paid at the end of the month as per their contracts.
They were instead promised all wages would be paid in full early next week and while head coach Rowley confirmed the situation, he expressed his belief the club’s new owners would stick to their word.
- Rowley blasts ‘awful’ and ‘pathetic’ Salford after Hull KR loss
- Salford boss Rowley: Takeover approval wait ‘took a lot out of the boys’
- Subscribe to rugbyleaguehub.com on YouTube
“They’ve not been paid yet,” Rowley told Sky Sports, where he was appearing as a pundit for Friday’s Betfred Super League match between Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons.
“We have had assurances it’s still part of the process where there are some monies coming from overseas and fraud checks etc, etc.
“The players and the back-room staff are included, so nobody has been paid just yet.
“I’m very confident [everyone will be paid on Monday].”
The confirmation that a consortium led by Switzerland-born investment banker Dario Berta had been cleared by the RFL to complete their takeover of Salford has raised hopes the off-season financial issues which put the future of the club in doubt.
That confirmation allowed the lifting of a £1.2million sustainability cap which had restricted Rowley’s selection options for matches, although the Red Devils remained in special measures.
The RFL’s special measure committee is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation, when salary cap restrictions could be restored if the outstanding wages are not paid in time.
“The RFL have been in regular contact with the club to understand their latest position, following the month end – having previously sought and received assurances regarding club financial sustainability,” a statement from the governing body read following an emergency meeting of the committee on Friday.
“The committee will meet again on Tuesday to consider the position, and whether the special measures which currently apply to the club should be extended to the reinstatement of a club financial sustainability cap.”
The news came a day after Salford slumped to a third loss from their opening three games of the 2025 Betfred Super League season, going down 42-0 away to Hull KR.
Rowley is now back in a situation of not knowing whether he will be able to select a full squad for next Friday’s trip to Castleford Tigers, and he acknowledged it is more uncertainty for everyone at the club.
“It’s difficult again for the players and the staff to prepare not knowing what the outcome is going to be,” Rowley said.
“The important bit is the clearances happen regarding the funds and people get paid. I’m sure they will, then that doesn’t come into force and we can ignore it.
“It’s a cloud on the horizon and it’s a distraction. There have been a lot of distractions and it’s difficult for everybody.”
