Trio leave Widnes as RFL approve takeover

The takeover of Widnes has been approved, meaning they can face Featherstone in the Championship on Sunday.

But three players – Krisnan Inu, Adam Tangata and Wellington Albert – have all been released.

Neither Inu or Albert have played yet this season, while Tangata is set for a spell on the sidelines having been injured in the Vikings’ last game against Toronto Wolfpack.

Albert has been linked with Leeds, and it is understood that all three players will be exempt from quota and be classed as federation trained for the duration of the next contract they sign.

Youngsters Sam Walters and Jarrod O’Connor have moved to Leeds for an undisclosed fee, while four of the club’s backroom staff have also been made redundant.

The consortium agreed a deal with administrators after lengthy negotiations, and includes local businessmen, Roger Harrison MBE and a fans’ representative.

Widnes have been handed a 12 point deduction for entering administration, and will start the weekend eight points adrift at the bottom of the table.

A club statement said: “On Friday afternoon, the Vikings were ecstatic to be told that the takeover has been given the green light by the game’s governing body.

“As revealed last night, the names of the people involved in the consortium are Chris Price, Jason Shaw, Roger Harrison MBE, Stuart Murphy, David Dean, Tracey Glendinning, and Rod Steele.”

Widnes players have been restricted to barely an hour’s training this week, but calling off the game would have led to the Vikings forfeiting competition points.

They have been unhappy at their treatment by the administrators, who have also been accused of providing mixed messages during the week.