Koukash hits back at threat of points penalty

Dr Marwan Koukash, owner of Salford Red Devils Credit: PA Pictures

Salford owner Marwan Koukash has launched a stinging attack on the Rugby Football League, claiming the Red Devils have been unfairly treated throughout his three years in charge of the club.

The millionaire racehorse owner issued a strong response to the RFL's decision to charge the Super League club with breaching the salary cap during a 40-minute press conference at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Koukash, who has been asked to select a date for an RFL independent tribunal hearing, protested his innocence and told journalists he was prepared to take the matter to the highest court in the land to prove it.

The Red Devils could be docked as many as 20 points if they are found to have exceeded the £1.825million wage ceiling in 2014 and 2015.

Salford were charged last Friday, six weeks after Bradford chairman Marc Green raised questions over their use of the cap over the last two years and in particular their signing of Tony Puletua from St Helens in 2014.

Koukash says Green's intervention put pressure on the RFL which he argues has failed to provide evidence of any wrong-doing.

Maserati gift for try scorer Niall Evalds Credit: PA Pictures

"I have nothing to worry about. If necessary I will go to the highest court in the land, I have the means to do so in order to protect the interests of my club, its fans and our players.

"I know for sure they're trying to make an example of us," he said. "I feel we're being treated unfairly and have been for the last three years ...probably because I have the balls to say something to the RFL.

"I'm not a follower and I will speak my mind. If it gets me into trouble, so what? If they start deducting points from us, I'll press the red button and go for all-out war."

Koukash insisted his actions in gifting 2015 player of the year Niall Evalds with a Maserati car were carried out within the regulations and said the club are operating well below the salary cap this year.

"If we've made a mistake we will pay for it but all I'm asking from the RFL going forward is to have a fair process in dealing with this, to stop trying to make an example out of us," he added.

Koukash, who has long been an advocate for scrapping the salary cap, claims it is unenforceable.