Salford Red Devils’ financial woes timeline after latest player exit

In the last couple of months, it’s safe to say that Salford Red Devils have had their fair share of turmoil following the news that they would be having new investors for 2025.

Pundits and fans alike are angry at the lack of communication from the governing body in particular, with rules seemingly changed on a weekly basis.

Most understand that the club is unable to discuss their plans in too much detail, due to legal processes and NDAs in place.

Whilst these takeovers do take time, it’s been progressing for a number of months now and the takeover of new owners was only finalised just a week or so before the start of the 2025 season.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Salford Red Devils financial problems have unfolded over the past couple of months.

Salford Red Devils financial issues timeline

15th January

The club put out an official statement, explaining there had been a delay in investment and new ownership, with negotiations with investors ongoing. The RFL told them to sell players and gave them a sustainability cap of £1.2 million. They were also prohibited from registering players for the season. Salford also received an advance on their 2025 allocation from the RFL whilst Salford City Council finalised their acquisition of the stadium. The Red Devils were placed under ‘special measures’ by RFL and had to find a reduction of £800,000 in overheads.

9th February

Salford played Midlands Hurricanes under RFL salary cap restrictions, beating them 46-10.

15th February

A week later, it’s round 1 of Super League where Salford head to St Helens still under salary cap restrictions. They lose 82-0.

20th February

Salford’s takeover was officially approved subject to RFL clearance and they were allowed to field a full-strength side against Leeds Rhinos in round 2 of Super League.

21st February

New Salford owner Dario Berta released a statement on the club’s website. He admitted that the takeover deal was still being finalised behind the scenes and announced Chris Irwin as the new Salford CEO. The club are still set to name a new board of directors.

22nd February

Salford hosted Leeds Rhinos with a full-strength side in round 2, losing 32-6.

27th February

Salford travelled to Hull KR with a full-strength side again for round 3 and lost 42-0.

28h February

It’s pay day at Salford and players and staff weren’t paid.

4th March

Salford were placed back in special measures and back to a £1.2 million salary cap after an RFL Special Measures Committee meeting. The players and staff have still not bee paid.

5th March

At another RFL meeting, Salford were given special dispensation to allow players such as Marc Sneyd, Kallum Watkins and Chris Hill to play in round 4.

7th March

Salford played Castleford in round 4 under restrictions again and lost 22-14. Rowley admitted players hadn’t trained again before the game. The game also was in doubt to go ahead as players only got their February wages paid before the game. Money has still yet to arrive for the purchase of the club, with money not landing in UK bank accounts just yet or is it just undergoing rigorous regulatory checks as it’s coming from outside of the UK. They were expected to name the same side as they did against Midlands Hurricanes in the Challenge Cup third round but were given special dispensation due to injuries and suspensions to Jayden Nikorima and Jake Shorrocks, which allowed them to bring in Sneyd, Watkins and Hill.

13th March

Marc Sneyd joined Warrington Wolves for an undisclosed fee and created space under the salary cap restrictions.

14th March

Salford were allowed to edit their squad after Sneyd’s departure bringing in Jayden Nikorima and Ethan Ryan which the RFL okayed. However, Nene Macdonald’s absence didn’t have full clearance so they were down to seven interchanges. Salford went on to beat Bradford Bulls 26-16 in the Challenge Cup.

15th March

Salford CEO Chris Irwin discussed troubles on BBC Radio Manchester. The sale went through around a month earlier but then “we got hit with money transfer issues through international money laundering and £1.9 million was sent over to our account and then bounced back to an account in Australia, which put us back under the sustainability cap. There was a shortfall in the money that was coming from overseas they could only do it in small chunks so we did request central distribution a week early.” There was also speculation of Nene Macdonald and Tim Lafai potentially leaving the club but assistant coach Kurt Haggerty says there’s no confirmation on either player.

18th March

Salford once again name a restricted squad featuring just 18 players with Nene Macdonald once again omitted amid reports that he could be the next man to leave.

19th March

Brad Singleton is confirmed as the next man to leave with the Red Devils receiving an “undisclosed fee” from Castleford Tigers for the prop forward, who they had not been able to register under their limited salary cap anyway.

20th March

Salford Red Devils win their first game of the Super League campaign but the victory is tarnished by confirmation from club CEO that Tim Lafai has left the club to return Down Under with his family. Irwin also confirmed that it is a “stark reality” that other exits could follow.

What next?

As of today, it’s unclear whether any backroom staff or employees at the club have been paid. We’re still unsure whether Salford have the funds in the short term. The sustainability cap won’t be lifted until Salford are able to run their club financially stable at least in the short term.

What happens next? Hopefully, the funds from their owners will be ratified as soon as possible, the salary cap restrictions will be lifted and they can get on with their season. The issue could be pressure from other clubs on the RFL, wanting Salford to be disciplined for the saga, as well as the lack of transparency regarding their financial situation.