Saba to Jerks?

Quote:

JETS owner Nathan Tinkler has provided a submission to Football Federation Australia in response to allegations he told a journalist: ‘‘I hope you get cancer and die.’’

The former mining magnate was cited under the sport’s national code of conduct after a tirade directed at award-winning Newcastle Herald journalist Robert Dillon in the aftermath of the Jets’ 4-3 loss to Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on April 17.

According to witnesses, Tinkler confronted Dillon, who was working in a press area, and on several occasions referred to him as ‘‘spreading the cancer’’, that he was ‘‘a cancer’’, and that the Newcastle Herald was ‘‘a cancer’’, before remarking that ‘‘I hope you get cancer and die’’.

When a Jets official tried to intervene, Tinkler brushed him aside and carried on.

Tinkler had until Friday to make a submission.

‘‘The chairman has, as required by the FFA process, provided a written response to the show-cause notice,’’ Jets chief executive Mitchell Murphy said.

The club would not comment further until the matter was resolved.

FFA will consider the submission. If Tinkler is found guilty, sanctions include a reprimand, fine or ban from entering a stadium.

The complaint to FFA did not come from Dillon nor the Newcastle Herald.

Meanwhile, Jets coach Phil Stubbins has left for Europe on a 10-day scouting mission.

The Jets have three places available on their roster for overseas players.

The club refused to outline which countries Stubbins will visit, but Italy shapes as a likely destination.

Keeper Mark Birighitti is at Varese and the Jets have also been linked to former Western Sydney attacking midfielder Vitor Saba.

The Brazilian playmaker is at Serie B club Crotone after his contract with the Wanderers was mutually terminated in February.

The Jets inquired about the enigmatic No.10 when he was released and the Herald has been told that interest has been rekindled.

Tinkler has promised to spend the full salary cap next season as well as signing Australian and international marquees capable of transforming Newcastle from wooden-spooners to finalists.