February 16, 2026 — 7:30pm
A former sponsor of the Geelong Football Club, accused of defrauding up to $14.5 million from the registered charity genU, allegedly paid over $3300 for the luxury accommodation of Cats stars Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan at a Munich hotel in 2018. This revelation raises new questions about the AFL’s investigation into Geelong’s compliance with player payment and soft cap rules from 2019 to 2024.
Sy Giang Nguyen, a former information technology manager, made the payment, which has sparked concerns about the thoroughness of the AFL’s recent audit. The club was fined $77,500 in October, with $40,000 suspended, after it failed to declare that club sponsors had provided players with benefits, such as stays at a Queensland property and gifts of wine.
Background of the Allegations
The payment in question involved two hotel suites at the Mandarin Oriental in Munich, arranged by another Geelong benefactor, Stuart Coffield, managing director of Geelong Travel. Documents reveal that Coffield booked the rooms for Britt Davis and Demi Miles, long-term partners of Selwood and Duncan, respectively. However, emails from the hotel staff indicated confusion over the actual occupants of the rooms.
“We would like to double-check that we have noted these down correctly. May we please ask: Ms Brittany Davis will share the room with you (Mr Coffield) and Ms Demi Miles will share the room with Sy Giang Nguyen?”
On the same day, Nguyen used an American Express platinum card to pay 2050 euros (A$3340 at the time) to the hotel. The exact room Nguyen paid for remains unclear, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Selwood, Duncan, or their partners regarding the fraud allegations against Nguyen and the late Keith Greenwood.
Implications for the AFL and Geelong
The AFL is expected to face renewed scrutiny over its investigation, especially since the audit did not cover the period before 2019. A senior figure from a Melbourne-based club expressed skepticism about the AFL’s handling of the situation.
“There’s just so much smoke around Geelong, and every time the AFL puts out a fire, there’s more smoke coming from somewhere else,” the club manager said. “It will be interesting to see what they [the AFL] do now. Surely, they can’t ignore it.”
Under AFL guidelines, clubs must disclose any benefits players or officials receive from club associates or sponsors. While the AFL’s investigation concluded Geelong had not breached salary cap rules between 2019 and 2024, the club was ordered to enhance compliance by maintaining detailed records of arrangements with associates and third parties.
Legal and Financial Ramifications
Nguyen, who is no longer associated with Geelong, remains under investigation by the police for his alleged role in defrauding genU. Detectives from the financial crime squad arrested and interviewed him on August 1, but no charges have been filed yet.
Court documents allege Nguyen colluded with Greenwood to siphon millions from genU by purchasing or leasing IT products that were never delivered. Greenwood’s former business, Ryrie Office Machines, is also accused of overcharging for IT supplies ordered by Nguyen.
“It appears that Mr Nguyen has orchestrated a fraudulent scheme in respect of the supply of IT hardware and software to genU for the benefit of himself and another, being Ryrie Office Machines,” stated former genU chief executive Clare Amies in an affidavit.
Nguyen and Greenwood had agreed to repay $5.8 million to resolve the civil case with genU but failed to complete the payment before Greenwood’s death. Lawyers for genU have sought court enforcement of the settlement, aiming to recover the remaining debt from Greenwood’s estate.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding scandal underscores the complexities of club-sponsor relationships within the AFL and the challenges of ensuring compliance with financial regulations. As the investigation continues, the AFL and Geelong face mounting pressure to address these issues transparently and effectively.
With ongoing legal proceedings and potential financial repercussions, the case remains a focal point for both the AFL and the broader sporting community. How the AFL navigates this situation could set important precedents for future governance and compliance within the league.
