The RFL (Rugby Football League) today announced that they have contacted the Salford Red Devils to confirm that they will be launching a compliance investigation into their squad selection for Saturday’s game against St Helens, to determine whether the club has brought the game into disrepute. The club will have seven day in which to respond to the RFL’s investigation.

Salford fielded a reserve side to travel to St Helens on Saturday, after being informed by the RFL that they were still under the special measures imposed onto them last month, as their new ownership had not yet been ratified by the governing body. Many key figures in the game have launched fierce criticism of Salford in the past few days, with the likes of Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont and Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin labelling their squad selection as “disrespectful to the competition” and “a disgrace”, whilst the RFL have also come under fire from certain sections of the rugby league fanbase.

While tensions are still sure to run high as the latest twist in Salford’s turbulent start to 2025 takes its course, it remains unclear what sanctions are on the table for the struggling club as the RFL launches its investigation. It seems as though the drama which Salford fans had hoped was behind them is sure to continue for at least the next week.

Salford will continue their start to the 2025 season with the visit of the Leeds Rhinos at Salford Community Stadium on Saturday. The status of the squad available to them is at this time unknown.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

RFL Statement: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63461/salford-red-devils-%E2%80%93-statement,-february-17

Quote sources: https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/13310400/leigh-leopards-owner-derek-beaumont-criticises-salford-red-devils-for-fielding-reserves-in-82-0-drubbing-vs-st-helens & https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/hull-kr-salford-red-devils-9949464