Owner Nathan Tinkler says a desire to change the culture at Newcastle Jets is behind the A-League club's decision to sack five players.
The Jets announced late on Wednesday night they had terminated the contracts of David Carney, Billy Celeski, Joel Griffiths, Kew Jaliens and Adrian Madaschi.
"The contracts of Billy Celeski, Joel Griffiths, Kew Jaliens and Adrian Madaschi were due to expire at the end of the current season but the players will now leave the club immediately," the Jets said in a statement.
"The contract of David Carney has been terminated for disciplinary reasons."
Tinkler claimed the move was in the long term interests of his franchise.
"These decisions were made in the best interest of the playing group and to improve the club culture for the young players who we believe are the future of the Jets," Tinkle said in the statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, assistant coach Clayton Zane, goalkeeping coach Neil Young and strength and conditioning coach Andrew Packer were also their services were no longer required.
"These changes form part of the internal club review currently being conducted," read a club statement announcing the changes.
The bloodletting comes with Saturday looming as the key date in the ugly stand-off between Tinkler and Football Federation Australia.
As drama continues to engulf the A-League strugglers, January 31 could be the day that triggers FFA's contingency plan to strip mining magnate Tinkler of his licence and either sell it or run the club themselves.
In shades of the crisis that preceded Gold Coast United's downfall, FFA's hands are currently tied as the Jets are yet to breach their licence agreement.
However, Tinkler has been told by FFA he must meet certain financial obligations by Saturday, and if he doesn't - as many at the club are privately hoping - it could bring forward the governing body's plans to take control in Newcastle.
In a statement, FFA head of communications Kyle Patterson said: "FFA is aware of debts owed by Hunter Sports Group (HSG) to football stakeholders and other service providers."
"These matters are the subject of undertakings provided by HSG to FFA. The expectation is that these matters will be urgently addressed.
"It is obvious that the Newcastle Jets are not currently a stable operation in structure, personnel or finances. HSG has been told it needs to take action this week."
Players and staff continue to be paid on time but the club is six months behind in making superannuation payments and owes significant amounts to several other bodies, including $140,000 to Northern NSW Football.
The playing group is understood to have lost total confidence in Stubbins, his tactics and his methods following Newcastle's humiliating 7-0 loss to Adelaide United on Saturday.
Stubbins' comments to a Sydney newspaper the following day - in particular, his remark that "certain players here on decent coin, who I wont name ... are giving no value for money to this club" - further inflamed the situation, and led to talk of possible strike action on Wednesday following a players-only meeting.
However, Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chief executive Adam Vivian rejected suggestions they were prepared to turn up to the session but not train or take instruction from Stubbins, which would have been in breach of their contracts.
Wednesday's training session was cancelled, apparently due to rain, meaning Jets players are yet to touch a ball since the Adelaide defeat.
It's understood Scottish Premiership side Dundee United are still interested in a takeover of the Jets, although chairman Stephen Thompson recently baulked at Tinkler's $5 million asking price.
Newcastle's next outing is against Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on February 6.
-AAP