It’s understood CEO Chris Pehlivanis delivered the news to the squad via a telephone hook-up on Friday, as the competition newcomers joined the likes of Perth Glory, Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast, Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets in placing players in enforced limbo.
Pehlivanis declined to provide detail of the terms of the stand-down notices, saying only that the club would release a statement later today.
It’s understood staff and players may be able to claim some leave entitlements but it’s unclear what portion of contracts will be paid out - if any - should, as expected, the league remain in a deep freeze after April 22’s reappraisal date.
Only Melbourne City - backed by the financial muscle of the City Football Group - and competition giants Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC have so far managed to guarantee player wages for April.
It’s unknown whether or not Wellington Phoenix will be in a position to avoid becoming the next domino to fall in a grim chain reaction.
PFA CEO John Didulica has taken a hardline over the lay-offs, insisting clubs are breaching the contracts of their players and damaging the competition.
“Whether it is one club or all 11 clubs, our position on this will not change,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
“We will continue to fight for the players who have been dumped and preserve their legal rights, including challenging the stand down notices and, where instructed, seek free agency on the basis of this breach of contract.”