RFL chief executive Tony Sutton backs Salford takeover after 'devastating and draining episode for the sport'; Red Devils have lost 13 players this season due to financial difficulties, including captain Ryan Brearley; RFL has allowed loan deals for players to be completed so Salford can play at full strength
Pictured: Salford Red Devils are facing financial difficulties and have been asked to go into liquidation.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) says Salford's financial difficulties are “damaging and draining the sport” but insists the “only alternative” to approving the takeover earlier this year would have been the “highly likely and immediate collapse of the club”.
In February, the club was acquired by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta.
This week Salford sold captain Ryan Brearley and Jack Ormondroyd to Oldham, Chris Hill to Bradford Bulls and Chris Hankinson to Leeds Rhinos to pay off creditors.
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Thirteen players left the team during the season, and there may be more losses.
The Red Devils have signed two St Helens players, Kieran Nolan and Jake Davies, on two-week loan deals among a host of temporary signings permitted by the RFL to help them prepare for their game against Hull FC this weekend and the clash with Wakefield Trinity on August 17.
Salford relied on external funding from WeDo Finance as their accounts remained frozen and a winding-up petition was filed last month, with a hearing adjourned to September 3.
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Former captain
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