PERTH Glory has launched crisis talks after the escalation of a bitter player-driven revolt against coach Alistair Edwards immediately after Friday night's 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.

The Sunday Times understands several players directly challenged their coach in the team's AAMI Park dressing room in a heated aftermath that lasted for more than an hour.

It is believed angst had been building for some time before Friday's flashpoint.

There were claims from Glory players yesterday that the current situation was "an absolute farce" and that Edwards had "lost almost the entire dressing room".

But a defiant Edwards painted the turmoil as purely a personal falling out between him and captain Jacob Burns.

It became increasingly likely last night that only one of Edwards or Burns can remain at the club.

With Edwards in the first season of a three-year deal, the drama raises the prospect of multiple players leaving Glory during next month's transfer window if the club backs the coach.

Edwards, backed strongly by assistant Gareth Naven, and Burns, who has the support of the senior players, are both understood to be confident they will win the backing of the club hierarchy this week.

"I think there's definitely a rift with Jacob Burns and myself, that's for sure," Edwards said.

"There were a few things said behind closed doors and that's something we've got to address internally."

Edwards said he could not guarantee Burns a place in the starting XI or that he would play for Glory again.

"That's something that depends on performance and attitude going forward. We hope so," Edwards said.

"It depends on the game and we've had those discussions. He knows the direction that the club's taking."

The senior players' concerns revolve around perceived nepotism shown by Edwards, who signed his sons Cameron, 21, and Ryan, 20, before the season, inconsistencies in selection and the coach's man management style.

The handling of contract negotiations with defender Steve Pantelidis, and his subsequent departure to Malaysia, has also upset some players.

Some players even believe the tactical balance of Glory's match-day squads this season has been compromised by Edwards' desire to include both of his sons.

Edwards denied he favoured his boys and said he always expected this criticism to come.

Burns was left out of the starting XI and was an unused substitute in Friday night's loss to Victory in one of a number of recent selection decisions that have raised eyebrows.

Ryan Edwards was preferred to Burns in a rejigged starting formation, while Cameron Edwards was deployed off the bench.

The situation has echoes of the ugly reign of former coach Steve McMahon, who was sacked in December 2005 amid player discontent.

McMahon signed his son, Stephen McMahon Jr, who was widely viewed to be of less than A-League standard.

Glory owner Tony Sage stopped short of guaranteeing Alistair Edwards his full and ongoing support, saying he wanted a full briefing from CEO Jason Brewer.

"I can't say that until I know all the facts and I don't know what was said in the dressing room," Sage said.

Brewer held an emergency meeting with Glory's coaching staff, as well as one-on-one meetings with players.

Sage said he did not give Edwards explicit permission to bring his sons to the club and conceded it had created "a real big perception issue".

"I never gave permission. Other than marquees, I don't give permission for any signing," Sage said.

"He never came to me to ask permission to sign his sons. I leave the squad selection to the person I put in charge.

"If he was determined that they were the best two players that he could get hold of for the money, that was the decision he made.

"It's a real big perception issue and Ali said categorically that he can handle it and the players can handle it."

Edwards faces being sanctioned by Football Federation Australia after refusing to conduct his mandatory post-match press conference on Friday night.

An FFA spokesman said the match commissioner's report would be considered before the controlling body considered its course of action.