Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer claimed last Monday that Tinkler paid AU$7 million for the Jets' licence in 2010 - far more than the $500,000 Palmer said he paid for his own club.

Football Federation Australia quickly countered the claims, stating the amount Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group paid - reportedly between $4m and $5m - was largely an acquisition fee.

But Fraser, who resigned from his A-League post in April 2010, told The Newcastle Herald such a fee was invented in the time between his departure and Tinkler's deal to take over the Jets five months later.

"Up until April when I left I was involved in negotiations to sell Adelaide United, right up to the heads of agreement, to the Young Group," he said on Sunday.

"There was never any discussion or mention of an acquisition fee. Contrary to that, there were discussions with Alan Young’s group of an incentive which covered any losses that group incurred up to a maximum number. That was standard practice.

"The acquisition (fee) was invented. It was invented sometime between April and September. It would appear as though there are a lot of inconsistencies."

The FFA again responded to the issue, with Fraser's replacement Lyall Gorman stating there had been several factors dictating the amount of the fee.

There has been speculation the acquisition fee charged for the Bakrie Group's full takeover of reigning champions Brisbane Roar was far less than that charged of Tinkler and HSG.

"We have made it clear that there's a difference between a licence fee and an acquisition fee and the distinction is crucial," Gorman said on Sunday.

"The acquisition fee reflects the market, its population, history and supporter base, among a range of factors. The value is the sum total of all those attributes. The A-League has 10 diverse markets and the inherent licence value will vary accordingly."