Vignaroli's non-appearance in Wellington this week has prompted a rash of conjecture, which Newcastle management have tried to contain by gagging players and staff.

The Italian marquee player travelled with his teammates on the team bus to Sydney airport on Monday but did not board the trans-Tasman flight to Wellington.

Jets coach Branko Culina explained after Wednesday night's 3-0 loss to the Phoenix that Vignaroli was considered fit for the game when the team bus left Newcastle, but by the time they reached Sydney airport it was decided the veteran playmaker was injured and should be "rested".

Jets officials then sent a driver to escort their highest-paid player home.

But several sources have told The Herald the reason Vignaroli did not fly to Wellington was because he encountered visa issues at Sydney airport.

Both Culina and Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas have dismissed such speculation as unfounded.

But when rumours continued to circulate yesterday, The Herald offered Tsatsimas the chance to quash the issue once and for all by allowing reporters to inspect Vignaroli's visa and passport.

Tsatsimas declined that opportunity.

"These are privacy issues," Tsatsimas said.

"You're not going to get me to advertise people's passports and visa and what-not . . . these are private papers and documents and I'm not going to issue those."