How Super League may work should stricken Salford go under this season
Plans drawn up in case club does not survive after takeover turned into a disaster
NOTION'S 11 How Super League may work should stricken Salford go under this season
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SALFORD'S chief executive Chris Irwin has left his role as rugby league chiefs may help them limp through this season if their cash crisis deepens.
But work on operating with 11 teams should they go under has also been done, including introducing a points percentage table.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Rugby league chiefs are working on plans should Salford's cash crisis deepen
Credit: SWPIX.COM
Administration or even a winding up order looms large over the Red Devils after a takeover by Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown turned into a disaster - it is believed they still think they can get it done in June.
HMRC is set to decide its course of action over unpaid bills while the Rugby Football League is owed £500,000 with payday loan firms wanting money back.
Its latest drama has seen Irwin, the man they brought in to turn the club into a powerhouse, depart, with players and staff being told yesterday he had 'resigned.'
A short statement said: "We can confirm Chris Irwin's departure as CEO from Salford Red Devils, after accepting his resignation.
"We thank him for his efforts. The journey continues – Reds Rise Together."
That comes as SunSport understands tentative talks have been held about the governing body or Rugby League Commercial stepping in to make sure they at least complete the season.
That would prevent a sporting mess as Salford going bust would mean some sides will play 25 matches and others 24, meaning a percentage table - like the one employed in 2020 and 2021 to cope with Covid-19 enforced postponements – may be brought in.
SunSport believes a more natural Super League season with 11 teams had been devised until round six but at 10 matches in, the point of that being able to be employed has passed.
It would also mean awkward conversations with broadcaster Sky, who may demand some of their broadcast deal back because of fewer fixtures, would be put off.
Bosses are said to be holding 'multiple daily conversations' with Salford, who are still interesting other potential owners.
2
Salford, who saw Chris Atkin become the latest player to leave, may yet enter administration or be served with a winding up order
Credit: SWPIX.COM
Kailahi and Brown have so far not put in the funding they talked about at the beginning of the season and six players have left after they waited for their wages in February and March, with April's just being paid on time following a scramble.
And with no sign of attitudes changing, a repeat is possible in May.
Administration, which would take any decision to sell the club out of their hands, would mean Salford are automatically relegated for next season under IMG's grading scheme.
But liquidation cannot be ruled out, unless the owners put their money in or another person takes them on.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Smith's brace helps Leeds beat Wolves
Betfred Super LeagueLeeds (8) 36Tries: Smith (2), Croft, Holroyd, Connor, Gannon Goals: Connor (5), WatkinsWarrington (0) 12Tries: Thewlis, Currie Goals: Sneyd (2) A rare brace of tries from forward Cameron Smith set Leeds Rhinos on their way to a fourth straight Super League win, piling on the misery for Challenge Cup final losers Warrington came off the interchange bench to break down some strong Wire defence in the first half, and with the in-form Jake Connor adding the conversion and a penalty, the home side had breathing space at Wolves' spirited performance fell apart in the second half as Smith added another and tries from Brodie Croft, Tom Holroyd, Connor and Morgan Gannon ensured they stayed in touch with top two Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Warriors.A superb try from Jake Thewlis had given Warrington brief hope, Ben Currie added a late consolation score and Marc Sneyd's two conversions saw him overhaul Andy Farrell to go fourth in the all-time Super League kickers' list with 1,027 to follow Leeds: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Lumb, Connor, Croft, Palasia, O'Connor, Oledski, McDonnell, Gannon, WatkinsInterchanges: Holroyd, Lisone, Bentley, SmithWarrington: Thewlis, Lindop, Tai, King, Wrench, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Fitzgibbon, Holroyd, CurrieInterchanges: Harrison, Crowther, Philbin, WoodReferee: Chris Kendall.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Wigan beat Huddersfield with late comeback
Betfred Super LeagueHuddersfield (12) 18Tries: Flanagan, King, Greenwood Goals: Flanagan 3Wigan (4) 22Tries: Marshall, Field, Farrimond 2 Goals: Keighran 2, Marshall Wigan Warriors pulled off a last-gasp victory over Huddersfield Giants to close the gap on Hull KR at the top of Super Robinson's struggling Giants looked set to produce a major upset against the reigning champions and came within one play of only their second win of their with the clock showing just five seconds of time remaining, Jack Farrimond finished off a Hail Mary move to clinch the was tough for the Giants to take after making most of the running against below-par Wigan in blustery conditions at the Flair Stadium in Dewsbury, where the match was played because of a concert at Huddersfield's John Smith's from George Flanagan, George King and Joe Greenwood, all with added extra points, had given them a 18-16 lead going into the final play of the Farrimond's second try of the match, adding to tries from Liam Marshall and Jai Field, saw Wigan land the sucker punch to narrow the gap to Hull KR to two to follow. Huddersfield: Flanagan, Gagai, Milne, Halsall, Bibby, Lolohea, Clune, Wilson, Woolford, Powell, Hewitt, Greenwood, CudjoeInterchanges: Golding, King, Burgess, RushWigan: Field, Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall, Farrimond, Smith, Havard, O'Neill, Byrne, Nsemba, Farrell, EllisInterchanges: Mago, Leeming, Dupree, HillReferee: Liam Moore.
Western Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire company director sentenced for fraud during Covid
Mr Zahid Afzal of Haverfordwest fraudulently claimed extra Covid bounce back loans for his phone sales and merchandise companies. When appearing at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, June 12, Mr Afzal was sentenced for three counts of fraud by false representation and was handed a two-year suspended sentence, and 300 hours of unpaid work. Insolvency Service Chief Investigator David Snasdell said: 'It is clear from our investigations that Zahid Afzal felt he could continue to apply time and time again for loans he was not entitled to. 'Not satisfied with the substantial funds he had legitimately received, he went on to lie on applications and exaggerate his companies' turnovers. 'His sentencing should serve as a reminder to those contemplating fraudulently pocketing taxpayers' money to think again.' The director of Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd had already received Covid loans for both companies legitimately – totalling £52,500 – when he applied for three more. The 37-year-old, from Haverfordwest, falsely claimed the applications were the first he had made and exaggerated the turnover of each company. He then received three additional loans of £50,000 each – one for Phone Bits Ltd and two for Phones Onn Ltd – between May and November 2020. The Insolvency Service investigation did not find any wrongdoing with the use of his initial loans for Phones Onn Ltd (£20,000) and Phone Bits (£32,500), which he was entitled to and were used entirely for business purposes. But he moved most of the £150,000 he received from his second round of loans to personal accounts despite stating they were for business purposes. The Bounce Back loan scheme helped small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, at a low interest rate, guaranteed by the Government. The loans were made on the condition that they were not to be used for personal purposes, but could be used, for example, to purchase a company asset such as a vehicle, if it would provide an economic benefit to the business. The money lent to a company had to be paid back, over six or 10 years, with payments starting 12 months after the company received the loan. The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
