A SALFORD RED DEVILS fan group has launched a tirade at what they have called the “disgraceful” RFL following the delay in a decision over a new club being formed.
The governing body had previously stated that a decision would be made by the RFL board regarding which consortium would be given Salford’s playing licence for next season on Wednesday (December 17).
However, a statement from the RFL revealed that such a decision would not be forthcoming.
“The RFL can confirm that it is continuing to work alongside three interested parties in relation to Salford Red Devils,” it said.
“A due diligence process is currently place and the RFL and Salford City Council are working closely together to ensure each submission is financially sustainable before a final decision is made.”
Following the debacle under the last ownership group, led by Curtiz Brown and Sire Kailahi, time is being taken to get it right this time as consortia involving Chris Irwin, Mason Caton-Brown and Tracy Atiga fight for the club’s future.
However, The 1873 has hit out at the governing body for the failure to stick to the timescale initially given.
“The 1873 is utterly dismayed by today’s RFL statement in delaying the selection of one of the three consortiums who have submitted bids to take over the vacant Salford Red Devils membership,” they said.
“Let us be absolutely clear: this represents yet another staggering failure of governance from the RFL.
“The bid process was launched with clearly defined timescales set by the RFL themselves. Those timescales were not imposed externally, nor were they unrealistic.
“They were the RFL’s own commitments and conceding that they may now be unable to adhere to them is a damning indictment of their competence and credibility as a governing body.”
“Specific responsibility must sit with RFL chief executive Abi Ekoku. This is the first genuinely significant test of his leadership since taking up the interim role and on current evidence, he appears to be failing it.
“Salford’s future is not a theoretical exercise or an administrative inconvenience, it is a real club, with real supporters, whose livelihoods and loyalty are once again being taken for granted.
“We fully accept and support the need for thorough due diligence and for the right consortium to be selected. That has never been in question.
“However, due diligence is not an excuse for delay when it should have been built into the process from the outset.
“The RFL had ample opportunity to structure this correctly and within the timescales they publicly committed to. Failing to do so now is simply not good enough.
“How can the governing body of rugby league seriously believe it is acceptable to inflict further uncertainty on Salford supporters after everything they have already endured?
“Fans have lived through repeated adjournments, delays, and a constant cloud hanging over the club’s existence. To now add another self-inflicted delay, in direct contradiction of the RFL’s own deadlines, is beyond tone deaf.”