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RFL make Salford Red Devils dispensation decision as takeover saga continues

Salford Red Devils centre Tim Lafai.
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


The RFL has granted clubs dispensation to sign Salford Red Devils' quota players if the Super League side is forced into a fire sale. Rugby League Live can reveal that clubs have been informed of the move by the governing body with Salford still locked in talks over a potential takeover of the club.

There is increasing hope that the Reds will be able to finalise their deal with an overseas consortium to take control of the club, which in turn would help to alleviate their delicate financial position.

However, with that yet to be concluded and Salford's immediate financial position still fragile, the governing body has decided to pass the dispensations in case Salford still need to sell players moving forward.

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Clubs were made aware of the decision on Monday after receiving a note from the governing body confirming that the dispensation has been approved. Sources insist the move is a precautionary measure and there is growing hope that Salford will not need to cash in on their players.

However, with Salford opting against sales to this point, there is now a scenario where they would need to raise funds at speed if the worst happened and the takeover hit a snag. As a result, the RFL has opted to approve the proposal which would allow the process of selling players to be accelerated.

Rugby League Live has obtained the email sent by the RFL's Head of Delivery Professional Games Competitions, Pat Cluskey. It reads:

The following is proposed as an amendment to the Super League non-Federation Trained Regulations

  • Any players signed from Salford Red Devils after the date of this board decision could be offered an exemption from the Non-Federation Trained regulations.

  • The dispensation applies for the 2025 season only.

  • There will be only one dispensation per club

  • Any dispensation is only to be considered following any agreement being reached in principle between Salford Red Devils and the club making the offer i.e. the agreement made in principle is subject to the granting of any dispensation required rather than any assessment of competing offers for Salford Red Devils players being carried out.

In essence, with quota dispensations now in place, clubs will be allowed to sign one of Salford's overseas stars, even if all seven of their quota spots are allocated. But crucially, they must also have the salary cap space to sign the player, which will still prevent the majority of Super League clubs from making a move, unless they can free up space on their cap.

Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity are the clubs currently in a position to move and Leeds Rhinos are now in the mix after the season-ending injury to Maika Sivo. His injury means he will not be registered, freeing up the relevant salary cap space.