Latest news with #ClaireBradbury
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Salford Red Devils chief operating officer quits alleging she was told to ‘sleep with individual' at RFL
Salford Red Devils will launch an internal investigation after their chief operating officer resigned alleging she had been subject to 'misogynistic language' and told to 'sleep with an individual at the RFL' by the club's owners to alleviate their financial crisis. The Red Devils remain in trouble on and off the field, six months on from a takeover by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta. Players and staff have repeatedly been paid late, the majority of their first-team squad have left and the club are in court next month to face an unpaid tax bill of almost £700,000. Supporters will protest against the club's ownership ahead of Sunday's game with Wakefield Trinity but the club is now embroiled in a fresh crisis. Claire Bradbury, who joined Salford from Sale Sharks last year, resigned at the start of this week before issuing a lengthy statement outlining the reasoning behind her exit. She wrote: 'It's important to share something more personal, as a senior woman in business. Misogynistic, inappropriate language from the ownership suggesting I sleep with an individual at the RFL to 'smooth things over' is not acceptable. 'At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the club to succeed. I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up to it then so I'm voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport.' In that statement, she also added: 'Repeated delays in salary payments, an absence of essential operational tools, and a lack of agreed structure, strategy, or investment have significantly impacted the ability of staff to perform their jobs effectively.' Salford responded to Bradbury's allegations by insisting that they will be undertaking an internal investigation. They said: 'It has been alleged by a former member of the Salford Red Devils staff, who departed the club on 12 August 2025, that she was subjected to inappropriate verbal conduct by the owners of the club. 'Salford Red Devils unequivocally condemns any and all forms of inappropriate language and behaviour. We treat such allegations with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring that our club environment remains respectful, professional, and safe for all members of staff. 'In response to these allegations, we will be conducting a thorough internal investigation. We are determined to establish the facts and take any necessary action to address the situation. We will provide a detailed report of our findings as soon as the investigation is concluded.' The RFL, when contacted, said: 'Any language and suggestion of this kind is clearly offensive and unacceptable.' Salford are expected to be removed from Super League at the end of this season given their long-standing financial issues. More than 15 senior players have left for other clubs, some recouping transfer fees that have helped keep the Red Devils afloat and ultimately pay salaries. That has left Salford relying on academy products and loanees to fulfil fixtures, with a similar scenario likely for this Sunday. But a newly-formed supporters group are planning a peaceful protest before and during that game, with the club's owners the target.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Salford executive: Ownership said I should sleep with someone at RFL
A senior executive at Salford Red Devils has quit and accused the club's ownership of suggesting she 'sleep with someone' at the Rugby Football League. The troubled Super League side have launched a 'thorough internal investigation' into allegations made by Claire Bradbury after she resigned as chief operating officer on Tuesday. Bradbury made the claims in a post on networking site LinkedIn on Thursday in which she also said her colleagues had been left working in 'impossible' conditions and the 'club's soul was being ripped out'. 'It's important to share something more personal, as a senior woman in business,' wrote Bradbury, who quit less than a year after joining from Premiership rugby side Sale Sharks. 'Misogynistic, inappropriate language from the ownership suggesting I sleep with an individual at the RFL to 'smooth things over' is not acceptable. 'At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the club to succeed. I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up to it then, so I'm voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport.' Salford said in response: 'It has been alleged by a former member of the Salford Red Devils staff, who departed the club on 12 August 2025, that she was subjected to inappropriate verbal conduct by the owners of the club. 'Salford Red Devils unequivocally condemns any and all forms of inappropriate language and behaviour. We treat such allegations with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring that our club environment remains respectful, professional, and safe for all members of staff. 'In response to these allegations, we will be conducting a thorough internal investigation. We are determined to establish the facts and take any necessary action to address the situation. We will provide a detailed report of our findings as soon as the investigation is concluded.' An RFL spokesperson said: 'Any language and suggestion of this kind is clearly offensive and unacceptable.' Club in crisis, on and off pitch Salford, who were taken over by a consortium just before the start of the season, are rock bottom of the Super League after a number of financial problems led to the vast majority of their senior players leaving. Five players make their debuts in the 80-6 thrashing at Hull FC on Sunday, with some of the squad meeting for the first time on the bus to the game. Salford's owners issued a statement the following day, insisting the club would not close. In her statement on Linkedin, Bradbury added: 'It is heartbreaking, but I cannot continue in a role where, in my view, the foundations needed for professional success are not in place, and where trust between leadership and staff has been eroded.' Following her post, a supporters' group – The 1873 – called off a meeting with the club's ownership. It has instead invited 'all rugby league fans to stand with us' at a 'peaceful protest march' before Sunday's fixture with Wakefield Trinity.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Salford executive quits after alleged misogynistic slur
Salford Red Devils chief operating officer Claire Bradbury has quit her role at the troubled Super League outfit and alleged the club's ownership suggested she "sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League" to ease their joined Salford in October 2024 after more than three years working at Premiership rugby side Sale Sharks - but has resigned after less than a year with the Red have said they "condemn inappropriate language and behaviour" and will be conducting "a thorough internal investigation" into Bradbury's allegations."It's important to share something more personal, as a senior woman in business," Bradbury posted on networking site LinkedIn, external in relation to her resignation."Misogynistic, inappropriate language from the ownership suggesting I sleep with an individual at the RFL to 'smooth things over' is not acceptable."At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the club to succeed. "I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up to it then so I'm voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport."An RFL spokesperson told Sky Sports News: "Any language and suggestion of this kind is clearly offensive and unacceptable." In response to Bradbury's allegations, a supporters' group - The 1873 - has called off a planned meeting with the club's ownership.A "peaceful protest march" to the ground before Sunday's fixture with Wakefield Trinity is still going ahead and they have now invited "all rugby league fans to stand with us".Responding to Bradbury's claims, Salford's statement said: "It has been alleged by a former member of the Salford Red Devils staff, who departed the club on 12 August 2025, that she was subjected to inappropriate verbal conduct by the owners of the club."Salford Red Devils unequivocally condemns any and all forms of inappropriate language and behaviour. We treat such allegations with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring that our club environment remains respectful, professional, and safe for all members of staff."In response to these allegations, we will be conducting a thorough internal investigation. We are determined to establish the facts and take any necessary action to address the situation. We will provide a detailed report of our findings as soon as the investigation is concluded."Salford, who were taken over by a consortium just before the start of the season, have had a number of financial issues this year, leading to the vast majority of their senior players leaving and the struggling side bottom of Super on Thursday, prior to Bradbury's resignation, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester he had been "watching the situation very closely".After last Sunday's dismal 80-6 defeat at Hull FC, where five players made their debuts and some of the squad only met for the first time on the bus to the game, the owners issued a statement on Monday to say the club would not close despite their ongoing said she and her colleagues had been left working in "impossible" conditions and the "club's soul was being ripped out"."My decision to resign was not taken lightly," she added."It is heartbreaking, but I cannot continue in a role where, in my view, the foundations needed for professional success are not in place, and where trust between leadership and staff has been eroded."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Female rugby chief quits after owner suggested she 'sleep with league boss' to help 'smooth over' club's financial woes amid mounting bills
Salford Red Devils chief operating officer Claire Bradbury has quit after alleging the owners suggested she 'sleep with an individual at the RFL' to 'smooth over' the club's financial predicament. The crisis-hit Super League outfit were taken over by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta on the eve of the season. However, the club's struggles have continued on and off the pitch this season, with late wage payments, a player exodus and an upcoming winding-up petition for an unpaid tax bill of £500,000. Now Bradbury – who joined Salford from rugby union side Sale Sharks last October – has resigned from her role and taken aim at the owners in an extraordinary LinkedIn post, in which she makes the claim of a misogynistic comment. 'What was a dream job I'd worked so hard for and such a proud moment in my career, is one I can no longer do,' wrote Bradbury, who said she had not been paid her wages for July. 'Over recent months, the conditions under which I and my colleagues have been required to operate made it impossible for me to deliver my role to the standards I set for myself and for the club. 'It's important to share something more personal, as a senior woman in business. Misogynistic, inappropriate language from the ownership suggesting I sleep with an individual at the RFL to 'smooth things over' is not acceptable. 'At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the club to succeed. I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up to it then, so I'm voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport.' An RFL spokesperson said: 'Any language and suggestion of this kind is clearly offensive and unacceptable.' Daily Mail Sport has contacted Bradbury and Salford for comment. The Red Devils are currently bottom of Super League, with just two wins from 21 games, having lost 80-6 at Hull FC last Sunday. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said on Thursday that he was 'watching the situation very closely indeed'. 'The question is, what can be done to change things?' he added. 'Obviously a consortium came in promising to clear the debts and put significant investment in. But that clearly hasn't happened.' RFL chief executive Tony Sutton said last week that while Salford's financial woes were 'damaging and draining for the sport', the 'only alternative' to approving the takeover earlier this year was the 'very probable and immediate demise of the club'. Salford issued a statement on Monday insisting the club 'will not close'.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Salford owners accused of suggesting female employee sleep with someone at Rugby Football League to ‘smooth things over'
Several scathing criticisms have been made against the Red Devils' owners RUGBY SHOCK Salford owners accused of suggesting female employee sleep with someone at Rugby Football League to 'smooth things over' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SALFORD'S owners have been accused of suggesting a female employee sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League to 'smooth things over.' Claire Bradbury announced her resignation as chief operating officer on Thursday - as she still awaits July's salary. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Claire Bradbury delivered a bombshell statement via LinkedIn Credit: Sale Sharks 2 A serious allegation has been made against Salford's owners Credit: PA And in a bombshell statement, she has claimed the ownership made suggestions that she get into bed with someone from the governing body. She wrote on LinkedIn: 'It's important to share something more personal, as a senior woman in business. 'Misogynistic, inappropriate language from the ownership suggesting I sleep with an individual at the RFL to 'smooth things over' is not acceptable. 'At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the club to succeed. READ MORE IN SPORT Roo what? Wayne Rooney makes Premier League 2025/26 predictions with shock Man Utd tip 'I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't stand up to it then so I'm voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport.' Mrs Bradbury's resignation is the latest to come under ownership duo Sire Kailahi and Curtis Brown. A team's worth of talent has left and boss Paul Rowley is scratching around for people to fill jerseys in Sunday's clash with Wakefield. Relegation looms for the Red Devils, if they survive, while a winding up petition brought by HMRC is scheduled to be heard on September 3. And Mrs Bradbury detailed how conditions have deteriorated since Kailahi and Brown took charge. She added: 'Repeated delays in salary payments, an absence of essential operational tools, and a lack of agreed structure, strategy, or investment have significantly impacted the ability of staff to perform their jobs effectively. 'Despite this, our team continued to show grace and professionalism, working tirelessly for the benefit of the club and its supporters. 'In my opinion, strong leadership in sport requires transparency, respect, understanding of fandom and culture, and a willingness to listen to experienced staff. 'Unfortunately, I have not felt that over recent months. 'This environment — one of uncertainty, inadequate resources, and decisions taken without collaborative consultation — has made it increasingly difficult to protect staff wellbeing and maintain operational standards 'Love for the club, loyalty to fans and professional pride is why the club continues to operate, despite this. 'Whilst funding may yet arrive, my concern is what may have been lost over this time, a decimated squad and a historic club with its soul being ripped out. 'The togetherness of our team, sponsors and supporters is what makes this club special. 'I think it is too important to say nothing. I hope no other club experiences what we have been through this year.' SunSport has approached Salford for comment.
