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NATHAN Tinkler must convince Football Federation Australia that the Newcastle Jets are a viable concern at a last-chance meeting in Sydney on Monday as it emerged the club may not have enough players to meet A-League regulations.
The Jets owner and chairman will meet FFA chief executive David Gallop, chief financial controller John Kelly and A-League boss Damien de Bohun at the governing body’s headquarters.
Mr Tinkler missed Saturday’s deadline to pay debts and address operational issues tabled by the FFA.
‘‘The Hunter Sports Group gave undertakings to FFA last month about the Jets’ finances, personnel and structure of the club,’’ an FFA spokesperson said. ‘‘The undertakings represent the immediate steps required to bring some stability to the Jets operation.
‘‘Nothing has changed in the past 24 hours. The situation is critical, and FFA’s senior management plans to urgently discuss matters with HSG regarding next steps.’’
It is understood the Jets’ immediate liabilities, which include $140,000 to Northern NSW Football and unpaid superannuation to players and staff, are well over the $500,000 previously reported.
Staffing levels are also below A-League standard requirements.
The FFA has repeatedly stated that Newcastle is essential to the A-League, but whether the club remains under Mr Tinkler is doubtful. If the former billionaire is unable to demonstrate on Monday an ability to pay the debts and appoint key personnel, the FFA has the power to revoke the Jets’ A-League licence. The first step in that process would be issuing a show-cause notice.
The Jets would not comment when contacted by the Newcastle Herald on Sunday.
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In a chaotic week, the Jets moved on Wednesday to sack five players, which would leave them with 13 contracted senior players.
Former Olyroos winger Travis Cooper has joined the squad as an injury replacement for James Virgili (broken ankle).
Defender Daniel Mullen has signed until the end of the season, and the Jets are close to finalising contracts with South Korean defender Lee Ki-je and veteran keeper Jesse Vanstrattan.
If those deals are completed, the Jets will still be below the minimum 20 players stipulated in the regulations before Friday’s visit by the Brisbane Roar.
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby and chairman Ray Baartz resigned on January 8, two days before Mr Tinkler took the club off the market.
Their departure was followed by the axing of assistant coach Clayton Zane, goalkeeping coach Neil Young and trainer Andrew Packer on Wednesday. Michael Bridges (assistant coach) resigned two days later.
Youth team coach James Pascoe assisted coach Phil Stubbins at training on Friday. Former Jets assistant coach Mark Jones is expected to join the club this week.
Adding to the upheaval, the club has taken action to terminate the contracts of senior players Kew Jaliens, Joel Griffiths, David Carney, Adrian Madaschi and Billy Celeski.
Their dismissals came after a meeting of all the players in which they told Stubbins they had lost respect for him, were frustrated with his training methods and team selections and would not play for him.
The Jets have recorded one win in 15 games. The situation reached boiling point after the 7-0 capitulation to Adelaide nine days ago.
In an interview with The World Game website, Mr Tinkler said a draft contract had been sent to a new chief executive and ruled out further sackings. He outlined, but did not provide details of, a five-year plan to transform the Jets into a powerhouse.
The new direction comes five months after Mr Tinkler declared the club was for sale, saying he ‘‘can’t wait to get them out the door’’.
This article Crunch time for Jets as Tinkler called to FFA first appeared on The Herald website.