Tuesday 29 March 2016 18:00, UK
Salford owner Marwan Koukash will give life bans to anyone found to have been involved in the trouble that marred the end of his side's win at Huddersfield on Monday.
Shortly after the Devils had beaten the Giants 26-24, photographs emerged on social media of some of Salford's players appearing to fight some of their own supporters in the away end of the ground.
Pictures on Twitter showed winger Justin Carney and centre Junior S'au involved in heated exchanges, with one particular photo showing New Zealander S'au appearing to restrain a fan on the ground.
The RFL have announced a full investigation into the incident with chief executive Nigel Wood saying: "We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly."
Koukash claims a child was hospitalised during the incident and although Salford issued a statement of apology, the owner has promised the strongest possible action against anyone found to have caused trouble.
The minority who caused the trouble, who I called thugs, will not be associated with our club or the sport. We will make sure they never attend a rugby league game again.
"We have launched an immediate investigation into what happened," Koukash told Sky Sports News HQ. "We are waiting for the CCTV footage from Huddersfield to understand what has happened and to identify those who are involved and isolate them from our sport altogether.
"We have asked for the CCTV from Huddersfield," Koukash said in an interview with talkSPORT. "The minority who caused the trouble, who I called thugs, will not be associated with our club or the sport. We will make sure they never attend a rugby league game again."
Koukash added that the daughter of a member of the club's coaching staff had to be checked over in hospital after the fracas, and defended the actions of Carney and S'au.
I thing what might have made things a lot worse than what they were is the fact that 2 of our plaers jumped into the crowd. If id have been there myself and seen my kids or family in distress and needing my help, obviously I would jump in. and that's exactly what has happened. Justin Carney and Julian Sale? Have done nothing more than anybody else would do.
Koukash added: "If I had been there myself, and had seen my kids or my family in distress and needing my help, obviously I would jump in, and that is exactly what happened.
"Justin Carney and Junior Sa'u have done nothing more than anybody else would do."
He added: "You go towards your fans at the end of the game to acknowledge their support and when you see your family are there and need your help, regardless of whether you're a policeman or a player, the human instinct is to jump in and help them out.
"I've spoken to them and I accept what they've done and what they've done is what every other human would do, regardless of what their position is.
"The players want to go over to the away fans at the end of the game, and that's when some of the trouble started. Their families were in distress and needed their help - you don't expect them just to stay on the pitch and do nothing."
A statement from Huddersfield confirmed a flare had been let off in the Salford end just before the end of the game.
"At 1638 a flare was ignited by a Salford fan in the away stand. Neither the fan who ignited it, nor the fan who subsequently threw it towards the playing surface, were identified. The flare was removed from the playing surface by stewards.
"Two Salford fans were then ejected from the playing surface and pitch-side at the end of the game for pitch encroachment.
"Following this an incident occurred in the away stand. We are expecting the RFL to request an investigation into the incident involving some of the Salford players and Salford fans post match and we will co-operate fully with this."
West Yorkshire Police said on Tuesday afternoon that no crimes had yet been reported and no arrests made.
"West Yorkshire Police were not in attendance at the fixture but were called at 4.53pm once the match had finished," said Inspector Jon Dunkerley.
"Officers attended and assisted stewards in a crowd control situation outside the ground. No crimes have so far been reported and no arrests made.
"We have since spoken to the club who are working closely with the Rugby League and we are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident."
