A statement read: “The RFL have today contacted Salford Red Devils to confirm that a compliance investigation will be launched to consider the circumstances around their squad selection for Saturday’s Betfred Super League fixture at St Helens, and whether they have brought the sport into disrepute.”.
The Rugby Football League has launched a compliance investigation into Salford’s decision to field a reserve squad in Saturday’s Betfred Super League opener at St Helens, which they lost by a competition record 82-0.
RFL chiefs met on Monday morning and determined the club could have a case to answer over a potential breach of competition rules, which require that each club “has at all times a squad of players sufficient to meet its obligations in all competitions”.
Due to salary cap restrictions, the Red Devils were denied the use of a number of senior players for the match, but head coach Paul Rowley still chose not to start with other, more experienced squad members who were available.
Saints’ 15-try romp was the biggest winning margin in Super League history and drew criticism from rivals including Warrington head coach Sam Burgess that it had compromised the integrity of the competition.
