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56 minutes ago
Salford Red Devils say they will field a team featuring “predominantly reserve squad players” for their 2025 Super League season opener at St Helens this weekend.
The club have had a tumultuous off-season following the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, first being given an advance on their 2025 central revenues before being ordered by the RFL to sell players.
A takeover by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta was completed last week, which included clearing the club’s debts, however the club say they are still under sustainability cap restrictions which will affect team selection for Saturday.
“Following the change of ownership, all documents have been submitted to the RFL for final approval, which is still ongoing,” a club statement added.
“Although the club is disappointed to still be under the restriction, there is an understanding that the process requires the appropriate time to be completed and we are complying with each request as it is provided.
“It is hoped this will be completed in time for the first home fixture of the season against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday 22 February.”
As part of the RFL’s sanction on the club in January, ordering them to sell players “without delay” they were also issued a reduced sustainability cap of £1.2m.
The regular sustainability cap for Super League clubs is £2.1m.
“The RFL have been working with the new ownership group at Salford Red Devils since their takeover was confirmed last week to satisfy the necessary conditions to lift the sustainability cap that was attached to the club in December,” the RFL said in a statement.
“This is a thorough and robust process to protect the Super League and its shareholders, and that work is ongoing. The sustainability cap therefore remains in place for this weekend’s fixture at St Helens.”
Salford opened their 2025 season with a 46-10 victory away at Midlands Hurricanes on Sunday.
