FOOTBALL Federation Australia last night handed the Newcastle Jets a financial lifeline that will guarantee the club’s future for at least a fortnight.
With owner Con Constantine unable to pay wages for the past two weeks and debts mounting, the 2007-08 A-League champions were on the verge of collapse.
But after a week of negotiations, the governing body has come to the rescue with an estimated $300,000 which will give Constantine and the FFA time to work towards a long-term solution to the club’s sustainability.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley, who is in China, said there were a ‘‘range of complex issues’’ being discussed with various stakeholders and yesterday’s deal would allow talks to continue while ensuring obligations were met.
Under the arrangement, FFA will pay the two weeks outstanding wages to players and staff as well as wages for the next fortnight.
They will also meet the travel and operational costs for the game against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night and the round-seven battle against Perth Glory at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday week.
The rescue package was delivered after a crisis meeting between Constantine, Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas and A-League boss Lyall Gorman at Parklea yesterday.
The news was met with universal relief by Jets players and staff, who last week did a whip around to ensure some teammates had money for food.
‘‘Our minds are at ease and we can now concentrate on the weekend,’’ said Jets left fullback Adam D’Apuzzo.
‘‘It’s a little unfortunate that it’s not a long-term solution, but we are happy.
‘‘It’s better than nothing, but we want to see where it goes from here.
‘‘The boys who have moved here from overseas can at least buy some furniture and others can meet loan repayments.’’
FFA paid an estimated $60,000 to host the Jets’ scoreless draw against Brisbane on Sunday.
And with no funds to pay for travel, there was a possibility the Jets would have to forfeit the match against Adelaide on Saturday.
‘‘It certainly assists us with the impasse we are at,’’ Tsatsimas said.
‘‘There is still work to be done but it alleviates the stresses involved with the matches in the immediate future and enables the players to focus on the task at hand.’’
It remains unclear if the FFA will continue to support the club in the long-term if Constantine’s financial position fails to improve over the next fortnight.
FFA would not reveal whether the money was a short-term loan or advance of the club’s $325,000 quarterly grant.
Professional Footballers Association chief executive Brendan Schwab addressed the Jets players in Newcastle yesterday and said while the financial assistance was a positive step, they remained anxious because players have long-term obligations.
‘‘We now have a window of opportunity over the next fortnight to develop a long-term solution for Newcastle,’’ Schwab said.
‘‘Failure cannot be an option here.
‘‘We see the two weeks as an opportunity to get the right solution, not delaying any decision that would be adverse to the players or the club.
‘‘From the players and the PFA’s perspective, we feel there are two fundamental conditions of any long-term solution.
‘‘The first is that Newcastle must continue to be represented in the A-league.
‘‘The second is that all player contracts must be honoured in full.
‘‘We learned a very hard lesson from the experience at North Queensland [where some players contracts were not honoured when FFA took over ownership] and are determined to ensure there is no repetition of that.’’
Jets coach Branko Culina said the pay dispute had impacted on the players’ mindset in the stalemate with the Roar.
‘‘You don’t want to use it as an excuse or admit it, but deep down you can tell,’’ he said.
‘‘We were a little bit conservative going into the game.
‘‘I was hoping we would have been be jumping out of our skins.
‘‘Certainly it did play on some players minds and maybe that is why we were a little hesitant in the first 45 minutes.’’
The Jets do not train today but Culina said it would be full steam ahead when they regrouped tomorrow.
‘‘That was what everyone was waiting for,’’ Culina said.
‘‘All we want to do is focus on the game.
‘‘Players might be seeking more long-term security, but at least this is something.
‘‘When I spoke to John Tsatsimas [yesterday morning] we were heading towards no game and no future.
‘‘It means for the time being, while they are trying to work it out, everyone will sleep a little easier.’’
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