Barrie McDermott has been reacting to the latest rugby league news and has shared what he thinks must happen next to avoid ‘withering and dying’ amid the Salford Red Devils’ financial crisis.
His comments come at a time of much debate in rugby league news circles, with the RFL coming under increasing pressure. We have now seen the departures of Robert Hicks and Sandy Lindsay, and Simon Johnson is set to leave after the RFL Council meeting on Wednesday.
Combine this with the criticism over the RFL’s handling of the Salford Red Devils’ financial situation, and it’s safe to say the governing body has come under fire.
McDermott, who was speaking to Love Rugby League, has spoken out and shared his thoughts on the situation, saying the state of play is a ‘shambles’.
“We’re over four weeks into the season now and the Salford situation has still not been resolved – it’s a mess. It’s a shambles and embarrassing for everybody concerned,” McDermott explained.
“When things like Salford crop up, communication is key because everyone can then understand the situation in full. Then you’re not second-guessing and making assumptions about a club, its owners or the players.
He added: “We just need somebody to lead and that leadership has to be bold and brave and take us to places where we haven’t been before as a game. Otherwise we will just wither and die.”
McDermott’s comments come amid the impending departure of RFL Chair Simon Johnson, whose exit was confirmed by the governing body on Tuesday.
This comes hot on the heels of rugby league news relating to unrest among clubs who felt he was not performing the role at the level required. It was reported last month that clubs were planning to eject the RFL Chair amid the discontent with the handling of many rugby league matters, including the Salford Red Devils’ financial saga which has dominated the sport over the last few months.
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