Winding-up petition lodged against Super League club
SUPER LEAGUE club Salford Red Devils is subject to a winding-up petition after creditors ran out of patience with the club.
Konica Minolta has lodged the petition against Salford City Reds (2013) with the hearing scheduled for August 10.
The rugby league club denied there was a problem and said it was waiting for a response from Konica, having approached them today.
The winding-up petition was lodged on June 23.
Salford Red Devils, which plays at the AJ Bell Stadium, has endured a tumultuous period since it was bought by Dr Marwan Koukash in January 2013.
The racehorse owner has been outspoken in his ambitions for the club and his criticisms of those who he perceives do not support the club’s plans. Two weeks ago, at a press conference that was variously described as “fiery”, “extraordinary” and “expletive-laden”, he claimed Salford City Council owed the club £800,000, which was denied by the council.
It is the latest financial problem to hit the rugby league club, which has two claims against it by players Kevin Locke and Tony Puletua.
The players, who are being advised by sports lawyer Richard Cramer of Front Row Legal, have hearings scheduled with the Rugby Football League’s independent tribunal and Manchester Employment tribunal respectively for unlawful deductions of wages.
On the field the club has struggled, winning just seven of its 20 Super League matches. There were widespread reports last weekend that the club’s fourth head coach in Dr Koukash’s 30-month tenure would be sacked, but Iestyn Harris so far remains with the club.
Salford are currently 11th out of 12 in the Super League and are almost certain to go into the Qualifiers, which pits four Super League and four Championship clubs against each other in a mini-league which could result in all four Super League teams being relegated.
