Salford Red Devils have been deducted two Betfred Super League points for breaching a number of RFL operational rules in their team selection for the Round One fixture at St Helens on February 15.

The Red Devils look almost certain to be booted out of the top flight next month due to their ongoing financial issues, shifting the focus to an adjourned winding-up order and in what form the 151-year-old club might continue to exist at all.

Fan protests and frequent chants against the club’s elusive owners provided the majority of the narrative when the action on the pitch was very much secondary to the implications off it as they were beaten 52-16 on Friday by play-off bound Wakefield amid an acrimonious atmosphere at the Salford Community Stadium.

Salford’s final points total in the Super League table is reduced from six to four as a result of the RFL punishment but it does not affect their final position of 12th and bottom of the standings.

In a statement from the Rugby Football League (RFL), the Salford management accepted the team chosen for the match at St Helens was significantly weaker than it needed to be and several first-team players advertised as being unable to play in the match were in fact available to be selected. The club accepted that this offence merited a points deduction.

Salford have also been fined £5,000, half of it suspended until 2029.

Decisions regarding the cancellation of the match against Wakefield and Friday night’s pitch invasion are still to come.

Super League fixtures

Knockout stage

Elimination play-offs

• Fri September 26: Leigh Leopards vs Wakefield Trinity – 8pm
• Sat September 27 Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens – 8pm

Semi-finals

• Fri October 3: Wigan Warriors vs TBC – 8pm
• Sat October 4: Hull KR vs TBC – 5.30pm

Grand Final (Old Trafford)

• Sat October 11: TBC vs TBC – 6pm

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