But the Scotsman, who insisted he is in Australia to spend time with his daughter rather than to collaborate with FFA in the overthrow of Tinkler, did re-iterate his interest in buying the club – if the circumstances are right.

Responding to Tinker’s statement on the The World Game that he had met with FFA CEO David Gallop and was part of a “conspiracy” aimed to placing the debt-ravaged Jets in new hands, Thompson said: “I want to make it clear that I haven’t met with David Gallop or the FFA on this trip.

“We have tried to engage with them in the past and have not got very far.

“That is a fact. What I am doing is watching the situation with the Jets from a distance and waiting to see what developments take place.

“It’s fair to say there is interest in us pursuing opportunities in the A-League (regarding purchasing a club).”

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Asked if he expected to meet with Gallop during his brief trip to Australia, Thompson replied: “The likelihood of that is very slim.”

Tinkler, in a no holds barred attack on both Thompson and the FFA, had insisted: "It’s pretty clear that FFA and Dundee United are conspiring to kick me out of the game, so that Stephen Thompson can then be handed the licence for next to nothing. It's a licence I paid a fortune for.”

Thompson also sought to clarify another point, declaring: “Dundee United will not be buying another club.

"It's an investment group headed by me that's looking at opportunities.”

Having turned the Tangerines into the only club in the Scottish Premiership which makes a year-on-year profit, Thompson is seen by FFA as a ready-made replacement for Tinkler, who on Monday was served with a show cause notice over operational issues and debts in access of $500,000.

He has effectively been given a two-week window to address these issues and prevent the ruling body moving to strip him of the licence he has held for four years.

Thompson’s coffers were boosted further on Tuesday with the $3.9million transfer of midfielder Stuart Armstrong and winger Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic.

The deals were greeted with derision by many fans, though an unrepentant Thompson views the sales as part of his plan to make sure the Tangerines remain “sustainable” into the future.