Conflict of interest … Tony Zappia used a family company to supply equipment for the Cronulla Sharks.
Photo: Jon Reid

THE disgraced former chief executive of the Cronulla Sharks, Tony Zappia, had been using a company owned by his wife, his sister and his brother-in-law to provide tens of thousands of dollars of club equipment and apparel to the Sharks.

It appears a similar company owned by Mr Zappia’s brother-in-law supplied the Parramatta Eels with equipment when Mr Zappia was football manager at that club.

An examination of the Sharks’ club accounts conducted in the past week found four invoices totalling about $30,000 which the company, Gearonline Sports Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, received for the supply of equipment and clothing.

The present Sharks board was unaware of the family association between Mr Zappia and the company but has now implemented procedures to prevent any conflicts of interest.

The Sharks have begun an investigation into the financial situation of the club since Mr Zappia’s resignation last month.

He had secretly started an organisation called Beyond Sharks Foundation – with $20,000 cash provided by a club supporter, Clint Elford – without informing the Sharks board. It appears another $10,000 given by Mr Elford to Mr Zappia and banked by him in his personal account was passed on to the club and used for football-related purposes.

Gearonline has five directors – Mr Zappia’s wife, Raelene; his brother-in-law Giuseppe Romeo; his sister Giuseppina Romeo; and other close associates Anna-Maria Stabile and Giuseppe Stabile.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show the company is registered with Roy Spagnolo and Associates, the accountancy firm in Fairfield of Mr Zappia’s close friend, Roy Spagnolo, who was recently elected chairman of Parramatta Eels.

The Herald revealed on Saturday that Mr Spagnolo had been involved in a string of failed property development companies which had gone into liquidation owing the Tax Office more than $1 million.

His associates in these companies include a relative of the late crime boss Robert Trimbole, and Pat Sergi, named at the Woodward royal commission as a crime syndicate principal.

The Herald also revealed that the National Rugby League is to investigate property deals involving Parramatta Eels players that might have occurred at the club during Mr Zappia’s tenure as football manager.

As many as six players might have been involved in “opportunities” in construction companies as part of an add-on to their contracts.