Salford-Wakefield clash called off over player welfare concerns amid Red Devils crisis
Salford Red Devils' players dejected during a game in 2025
Salford’s game at home against Wakefield Trinity, scheduled for this Sunday, has been postponed at the Red Devils’ request over concerns for the welfare of their young players amid the club’s ongoing crisis.
The Red Devils‘ financial crisis has been ongoing since last November, and has worsened by the day over the last couple of weeks, both on and off the field.
Last weekend, head coach Paul Rowley and his backroom team scrambled around to arrange loan signings at the eleventh hour so that they could cobble a squad of 18 players together for their trip to Hull FC and fulfil that fixture.
Ten loanees were eventually included in Rowley’s matchday 18, including seven that had arrived just that week, and he oversaw a thumping 80-6 defeat.
In the wake of that game, some clubs recalled the players that they had on loan at Salford – including Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves.
Those clubs, along with others, did not want their players involved in the saga at the Salford Community Stadium any more.
This week has been another turbulent one both on and off the field for a plethora of reasons, and at a meeting with the RFL on Friday afternoon, Salford withdrew from Sunday’s fixture.
The cancellation of the game on Salford’s part did not come from them being unable to field a team, but instead their concerns over player welfare.
The RFL Board will determine the outcome of the fixture in line with the RFL Operational Rules requirements early next week.
‘The club have reluctantly taken this decision as there were significant concerns regarding player welfare’
As the cancellation of Sunday’s fixture was announced, Salford’s statement laid bare the squad boss Rowley is currently working with, and why they felt they were unable to play this weekend.
The Red Devils’ statement reads: “The club have reluctantly taken this decision as there were significant concerns regarding player welfare and have been in consultation with the Rugby Football League, RL Commercial and Rugby League Cares.
“Of the 17 available for Sunday’s fixture, there are only two senior players who have featured at Super League level over the last 12 months, with Academy products making up the rest of the current playing squad.
“11 members of the first-grade team are currently injured – although a number of those are expected to be available for Salford’s next scheduled fixture against Leigh Leopards.
“The club has been fortunate to take on a number of loan players from opposing Super League teams over the course of the season and their efforts in helping us during these testing times has been greatly appreciated.
“This decision wasn’t taken lightly; we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
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