URGENT Role problem 1.4

On 1.4 you cannot change the fact that author is the default role for new registrations.

I went to settings – general and selected something else for New User Default Role but when I press “save” it resets automatically to Author.

I need a fix for this TODAY as this breaks everything for my tournament. Authors cannot do anything on 1.4 and I need them to be able to create clans & co (there will be around 200 new users comeing later tonight / tomorrow for a huge tournament).

I need a fix ASAP so I can select another role for default newcomers!!!