BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Salford Red Devils did not submit an application to be included in an expanded 14-team Super League next year because they would not meet the criteria.
Yesterday the RFL announced that nine clubs had submitted formal applications, two from Super League in Hull FC and Huddersfield – and seven from the Championship. Salford was not one of them.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands the Red Devils investigated applying, but decided against it when the club learned what details it would need to provide.
It is believed Salford would not meet the necessary financial criteria element, because of its debt to HMRC and the need to include extensive financial forecasts for the next three years.
The Super League side has had a disastrous year, plagued by money and ownership issues, and its financial future is far from certain.
This has included players and staff being paid late, rising debts and legal action taken against the club throughout the past seven months.
All of these factors would severely affect an application to be part of Super League next year.
According to an RFL statement, the seven-member panel will: “Judge applications against a further set of criteria relating to Finance and Sustainability and playing strength.Â
“These include their financial performance in 2025; detailed financial performance and sustainability forecasts for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons; and their ability to field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond. For the latter, analysis will be provided by the RFL’s England Performance Unit.”
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands Salford also only has nine players signed for 2026 and cannot register new players for next year until their money issues are solved, which would impact the “playing strength” criteria judged by the England Performance Unit.
It is believed the club is instead focusing on areas it can improve in the meantime and on its financial future, with the Red Devils expecting to be competing in the Championship in 2026.
The club has been approached for comment.
A decision on the applications and the makeup of next season’s Super League will be announced on October 16.
