Geelong Sponsor's Payment for Players' Partners Prompts AFL Questions
A former sponsor of the Geelong Football Club, Sy Giang Nguyen, who faces court allegations of defrauding up to $14.5 million from the registered charity genU, reportedly paid over $3300 for luxury hotel accommodation in Munich for partners of Cats players Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan in 2018.
This payment has prompted questions regarding the scope of a recent AFL investigation into Geelong's compliance with total player payments and soft cap rules.
Questions Over AFL Compliance Audit
The AFL's recent audit into Geelong's compliance between 2019 and 2024 resulted in the club being fined $77,500 (with $40,000 suspended) in October. This audit uncovered undeclared player benefits, including stays at a Queensland property and gifted wine bottles.
Details of Munich Accommodation
The Munich hotel booking occurred in October 2018 and involved two suites at the Mandarin Oriental. Another Geelong benefactor, Stuart Coffield, arranged the booking. Documents indicate the rooms were specifically for Britt Davis and Demi Miles, who are the partners of Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan, respectively.
An email from the hotel staff dated October 3, 2018, sought clarification on the room occupants. On the very same day, Nguyen used an American Express card to pay 2050 euros (approximately A$3340 at the time) to the hotel for the accommodation.
No Wrongdoing Alleged Against Players
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Selwood, Duncan, or their partners. Furthermore, there is no indication that they were aware of the fraud allegations against Nguyen or the late Geelong businessman Keith Greenwood. Social media images from October 7, 2018, show Selwood, Duncan, their partners, and other Cats players at Oktoberfest.
Fraud Allegations Against Former Sponsor
Nguyen, who is no longer a Geelong sponsor, is the subject of a three-year police investigation. Detectives interviewed him on August 1 following the execution of a warrant at his Newtown home; no charges have been laid at this stage.
According to Supreme Court of Victoria documents, Nguyen allegedly colluded with Greenwood to siphon millions from genU by purchasing or leasing IT products on behalf of the charity that were never delivered.
Unpaid Civil Settlement
Nguyen and Greenwood, both long-term benefactors of the Cats, had agreed in June to repay $5.8 million to resolve a civil case with genU. Following an initial payment of $1.4 million, they failed to make the second $3 million payment on September 26, which was four days before Greenwood's death.
Lawyers for genU have since applied to the Supreme Court to enforce the settlement. They are also seeking the appointment of a receiver to pursue assets from Greenwood’s estate to cover the outstanding debt.
AFL Guidelines on Player Benefits
AFL guidelines strictly require clubs to declare any benefits players or officials receive through club associates or sponsors. Executives from rival clubs have noted the close relationships between Geelong's benefactors and players.