Agree.
I doubt the RFL have thought about how the new system would affect points deductions in general. If a club gets a points deduction but still makes the top 8 then it's ok, they still feel the effect of that punishment.

But if a club is unlikely to make the top 8, like Salford, Widnes or Wakefield, then a points deduction has very little effect on them.

Maybe there needs to be a process whereby part of any points deduction is only applied during the 8's. For instance with a 6 point deduction, 4 points could be applied prior to the 8's and 2 points deducted as soon as the 8's start. Or maybe only 1 point if 2 is deemed too harsh.

I'm not sure the waiting around for the middle 8's technique would really work if put into proper practise. Wakefield doesn't count in a way as they made a significant coaching improvement. Had Webster stayed I think they'd have gone down.

I reckon IF their was a points deduction that left Salford no chance of avoiding the Bottom 4 then it would drain the life out of the club and therefore the players and lots of heavy batterings most weeks in SL and I'm sure Koukash would be carrying on left, right and centre, perhaps even walking away from the sport......and I'd struggle to see them being able to then produce some performances when it mattered in the Middle 8's.

Any points deduction is pretty much a waste of time as, no matter what, Salford will be in the "qualification league" at the end of the season.
Even if they were to be relegated, they would still be in the same end of season league.

What are the rules for the alleged salary cap breaches ?

As others have said, most punishments become meaningless for clubs in their position.

The case in question was thrown out of court a while ago. Not sure another RFL investigation is going to find anything different than a law court.

It is perfectly possible for something to be both LEGAL in a court of law, and against the RFL Operational Rules.

No idea whether it is in this case or not, but just because a court has OK'd something, it doesn't mean there isn't a breach of some other rules.

Here we go again some read a couple of paragraphs in a trade paper and become judge,jury and executioner.
Wonder how many bother to follow the transcripts from the two day court hearing before jumping in.

The court hearing was not investigating possible Salary Cap breaches, and if the RFL did have a representative in court it would seem he would have heard enough to justify a SC investigation. The way this man does business is clearly 'unorthodox' otherwise there wouldn't be as many claims against him or the club. There are still at least 3 rumoured to be outstanding against him.

Name the three that are outstanding

The shocking part for me is comparing Salford to Melbourne.

If it turns out that Salford have manipulated the cap, what a futile deception & based on performance a waste of money.

Oooooh that was a defensive challenge.

Hock, Chase and Long

Its perfectly possible to be in line with the RFL Operational Rules and still in breach - do you not remember Wigans "breaking the spirit of the cap"?

It seems, judging by the tweet below

The wider issue would be clubs abusing the rule (in the exempt from cap value calculations section)
the Gross value of any bonus payments that may Accrue to the Player during the Salary Cap Year if he wins the annual Man-of-Steel award (or any other similar individual award) or any Man-of-the-Match awards in that Salary Cap Year;
'"

If true it would also suggest that certain players knowingly and willingly participated in breaching the rules and those individual players should be punished accordingly.

With Puletua now retired,this may focus on a certain club in the north west.

Interesting times.

It's gotta be time for he return of Des.He has served most of his 8 yrs ban now,hasn't he?

Three notorious braindeads. I don't fancy their chances.

So because they are as you say 'braindeads' it makes it ok to possibly rip them off. What a stupid statement.

"Ha, you're braindead so Salford win", don't think it quite works like that. Incidentally has anyone heard from Mr Vickers since he left, bet he has some interesting tales to tell. Personally I don't care which way this goes, but for investigations to have been ongoing since October it would suggest there is lots to look at or the RFL are very slow (likely)

Conspiracy theory at its best. Koukash sells entire team to Leigh, Salford made to swap places with Leigh for coming season and the good doctor buys Leigh.