Swinton insist all contracts will be honoured despite being in special measures

Swinton insist they are still allowed to sign players and that existing contracts will be honoured, despite being placed under special measures.

The Lions were placed under special measures by a Rugby Football League board because of the uncertainty of the club at board level.

All but one of the club’s board of directors resigned last month after plans to rebrand the club as Manchester Lions were heavily criticised by fans and local politicians.

The club insist that the RFL have not suspended them from signing or retaining players, while all existing contracts for players and staff will be honoured.

In a statement released by the Lions, it read: “Last night, the club received an email from the RFL asking us to provide information regarding our management structure moving forward.

“Bearing in mind seven directors have just resigned, this is a perfectly reasonable question from the governing body. This issue is in the process of being satisfactorily dealt with.

“We have also been asked to provide a sustainable 2020 budget – a standard procedure – which we will also be in a position to comply with by early next week.

“The club wishes to state categorically that the RFL has levied no sanction against the club. We are NOT suspended from signing players and all existing contracts will be honoured, 100%.”

Swinton will meet with the RFL early next week to discuss plans moving forward.

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