Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:13 pm  

To be fair I think that when someone hides something you can't enforce the "Live" cap. When TP said he had two contracts the RFL didn't seem to act at that point and didn't bring this up until is was questioned by Bradford chairman. But whatever the circumstances Marwan can either live with it come back through the 8's and focus on building the current squad within the rules and improve marketing the product. Or spend his time putting childish tweets and wait until the RFL have a chance to shaft him again.

He has lost focus on the goal I think and would rather cause mayhem for the RFL that focus on the fact the fans are loosing faith and he can slowing build something good for you.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:22 pm  

Something has to change quickly or 137 years of RL in the Salford/Manchester will be confined to the history books. I certainly can't recall less interest in the sport from the locals than there is right now.

If the game is ever goiing to expand then surely we need a strong succesful club in it's 3rd largest city rather than showing favouritism to town clubs or another team in France? People in this area are spoiled with successful football teams and they won't be attracted to a sport that supresses a clubs ambition.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:41 pm  

I really do hope it can be sorted and from an outsider don't really know what the solution is. I don't really know what the problem is either and why the crowds are falling as you have been solid this year.

Do you feel the fans staying away is location, marketing or frustration with Marwan?

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:50 pm  

theredshed wrote:

The most concerning aspect of all this was the RFL's attempt to further punish the club with an extra points deduction in the middle 8's. It seems to me the consequence of this bitter relationship between both parties is driving Salford RLFC into the ground. All parties need to take a step back and realise the damaging effects their actions are causing honest hard working players and loyal paying supporters. A line now needs to be clearly drawn in the sand but i'm not confidentl it will.

I don't condone the public criticism of the RFL but I would have expected our governing body to handle themselves and the situation much better. It's blatantly obvious the RFL are on a revenge mission to hit back heavy through the disciplinary system at every opportunity. (With total disregard for those caught in the crossfire. It's evolved into a very sad state of affairs and it's damaging, very embarrassing and calls into question the integrity of the sport.

My understanding is that they received confirmation from Francis Meli that he was paid by another MK-owned company. This had not been received at the time of the original hearing so Salford had been found not guilty of this offence . However, the appeal panel ruled that no additional evidence could be presented that was not available at the original hearing. Therefore, Salford couldn't be found guilty of any offences they were originally found not guilty of.
I think Salford had a let-off there to be honest. If Meli had emailed the RFL sooner they would likely have been found guilty and copped a further 2 points.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 5:51 pm  

Apathy with the salary cap situation that lead to the points deduction. Personally it always feels like the club have one hand tied behind their backs. I wouldn't mind so much if we had any success but considering the investment we were absolutely useless and it was painful to watch. For decades we've had to contend with being hundreds of thousands under the cap due to financial constraints. I'll be honest I haven't attended one game since the announcement of the salary cap breach. It was the final straw for me after years of following home and away plus cup finals and internationals.

I can't speak for others but could I be tempted back to paying to watch rugby league? Possibly but only if the situation with the owner and the RFL is resolved.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 6:32 pm  

I think you have hit the nail on the head. It's like a broken relationship and mediation is required. But both parties need to get their egos out of the way and draw a line in the sand. Marwan could work with the RFL and make the sport better but he needs to become part of the machine and not rage against it. This is what I fear cannot happen and sadly Salford RL will be the victim of these ego and another club will just take it's place.

If he walks away at this stage with the crowds I fear the worst but you owner seems to want the drama more than a stable club.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 6:40 pm  

Re the "16k for a Maserati", I think you'll find it was a one or two year lease, he didn't buy it so sounds about right.

Re "Meli emailing sooner", I think if you read the findings report the Meli payments were mentioned in a verbal conversation between himself and a member of the RFL, this RFL member then emailed Meli but Meli ignored it and didn't respond.

Re: Points Appeal : Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:12 pm  

DirkDiggler wrote:

Re the "16k for a Maserati", I think you'll find it was a one or two year lease, he didn't buy it so sounds about right.

Re "Meli emailing sooner", I think if you read the findings report the Meli payments were mentioned in a verbal conversation between himself and a member of the RFL, this RFL member then emailed Meli but Meli ignored it and didn't respond.

Meli didn't respond until after the original hearing. As new evidence wasn't permitted, any response after the original hearing wasn't allowed. I was just trying to explain why they RFL had sought to increase the penalty, as if the new evidence (the email from Meli) had been allowed to be considered by the appeal panel they could have found Salford guilty of a further offence and imposed a further penalty.

Re the Maserati. 16k is still quite cheap even for a year's lease.

Re: Points Appeal : Wed Jul 20, 2016 5:17 am  

Let's not deter from the facts, Meli did not respond or send any email hence no evidence to submit;

2.2 In relation to Mr Francis Meli it had been argued before the Tribunal by the RFL that this was the same as with Mr Puletua. It was argued there was a contract for £22,000 in respect of Mr Meli which was not declared. There was no evidence directly from Mr Meli, unlike with Mr Puletua whose employment tribunal claim provided the relevant evidence, but the RFL relied upon a conversation between the investigating officer, Mr Dearden, and Mr Meli and an email sent by Mr Dearden to Mr Meli recording that conversation. Importantly Mr Meli did not respond to that email at all let alone to confirm its contents. The Tribunal was not prepared to make a finding of breach on that basis. RFL contended in this appeal that the Tribunal was wrong to do so and invited the Appeal Panel to find the Club in breach in this respect.

If you do your homework, you can pick up a Maserati Ghibli for about £700 - £1000 / month with an initial outlay of 4 - 5k.....so yeh 12 month lease for 16k does sound about right.

Resident legal eagle strikes again.

Re: Points Appeal : Wed Jul 20, 2016 12:03 pm  

My question would be who was advising the Doc on paying some players in this way as he wasn't CEO then, was he naive as a new comer to the sport and perhaps had a lack of clear understanding? Allegedly, we didn't even exceed the cap even with these payments? Don't like the way the governing body have 'gone for us' at all, leaves a real bad taste in my mouth and that of RL imo.