Paul Rowley has been able to name a full 21-man squad for Salford Red Devils’ clash with Leeds Rhinos after the club’s takeover was approved.
The RFL confirmed on Thursday morning the consortium led by Switzerland-born banker Dario Berta had met all of the governing body’s conditions, along with the lifting of the sustainability cap.
That allowed head coach Rowley to name a full 21-man squad for the first time this season, with Marc Sneyd (pictured – credit: SWpix), Tim Lafai, captain Kallum Watkins and off-season signing Chris Hill all available to face Leeds in Saturday’s Betfred Super League Round 2 match at Salford Community Stadium.
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“Salford Red Devils are pleased to announce that the takeover of the club has been formally approved by RFL, following the completion of the final requirements,” a statement from the club read.
“As such, the club will be in a position to field a full-strength squad on Saturday for the Salford Red Devil’s opening home fixture against Leeds Rhinos.”
Salford had been operating under a £1.2million sustainability cap while waiting for the takeover to go through, which restricted them to naming a squad of no higher than that value for the Challenge Cup tie at Midlands Hurricanes and their Super League opener against St Helens.
Rowley’s squad selection for last week’s 82-0 defeat sparked an ongoing RFL investigation over whether the Red Devils breached the Tier 1-3 Operational Rules by failing to field a full-strength team.
The club had that restriction imposed on them as part of a deal which saw them advanced £500,000 of central funding to overcome an off-season financial crisis.
“The RFL has today approved the Change of Control and all Owners and Directors Tests whilst also lifting the Sustainability Cap that has applied to Salford Red Devils since they were given an advance on their central distribution in December,” a statement from the governing body read.
“The club’s new ownership group have met the conditions that were necessary.”
