Football Federation Australia "remains concerned about the financial state" of A-League side Newcastle Jets, despite "controversial" Owner Nathan Tinkler paying off almost A$500,000 ($388,600) in debts late last week, according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. With the Jets still having a "show-cause notice hanging over their heads," FFA issued a statement declaring Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group, which owns the club, "needs to do more to convince them of the club’s long-term viability." While declaring the payments "a step in the right direction," the head bod "appears wary." An FFA spokesperson said, "The payment of some significant debts and the appointment of a CEO were steps in the right direction in relation to the formal notice given to the Hunter Sports Group, but much more needs to be done. The financial state of the Newcastle Jets is not yet in a position to fully satisfy FFA's concerns about stability and sustainability" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/11). In Sydney, Tom Smithies reported Tinkler reportedly "has until next Monday to satisfy FFA CEO David
Gallop that the club has achieved what it terms 'stability and
sustainability.'" Failing that the FFA has the option to remove Tinkler's A-League license with the "potential of legal action to follow in response." But as Tinkler "refuses to back down over the exit of five senior players -- four released and one sacked -- FFA will demand their payouts are agreed and made, plus all of the superannuation debt be paid, before it accepts business as usual at the Jets." The "exact amount of super owed by the Jets remains uncertain, as the members of the squad have accounts with a variety of funds," but the players believe it could be more than A$300,000 (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 2/10).