Damon Hanlin, former Sydney Olympic president and current benefactor member, has issued a defamation concerns notice ahead of the club’s Annual General Meeting, with Sydney Olympic FC circulating the correspondence to members in relation to a series of posts published on a supporter-run Facebook page.
In a statement shared publicly, the club advised members that lawyers from Vincent Young had issued the formal concerns notice under the Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) on Mr Hanlin’s behalf in relation to content published on the “Sydney Olympic Supporters” page.
Multiple posts and serious allegations identified
The correspondence, dated 20 April 2026, relates to a series of posts and comments published between late March and mid-April, forming part of a sustained pattern of publication over several weeks.
Central to the notice is the position that Mr Hanlin is the sole benefactor member under the club’s current constitution, having contributed approximately $4.6 million in funding over the past six years, which the letter states was critical to the club’s survival.
The notice identifies multiple posts, including at least nine publications, and associated comment threads, which are alleged to have conveyed a range of serious imputations concerning Mr Hanlin’s conduct in his role with the club.
While the specific wording is not reproduced, the correspondence states that the material includes allegations suggesting criminal or corrupt behaviour, breaches of duty, and improper use of his position as benefactor member. It also claims the posts portray him as acting against the interests of the club.
The letter further asserts that references to the “benefactor member” within the posts would have been understood by readers as identifying Mr Hanlin, given his position within Sydney Olympic FC.
Administrators, anonymity and platform action
A significant element of the notice relates to the role of page administrators, with the correspondence stating that those responsible for the Facebook page may be liable not only for the original posts but also for comments published or allowed to remain once they are aware of the material.
The notice also raises concerns about the use of anonymous accounts and seeks assistance in identifying individuals responsible for administering and contributing to the page, including those publishing content anonymously.
The correspondence argues that the publications meet the “serious harm” threshold under defamation law, citing the nature of the allegations, the audience of club supporters, and the continued availability of the material online.
It further states that the posts have led to concern among members of the community and raised questions about Mr Hanlin’s reputation and involvement with the club, including within the broader football and professional community.
The legal notice has also been directed to Meta Platforms, seeking action at a platform level in relation to the content and the page itself.
The notice calls for the removal of the identified posts and associated content, action in relation to the page itself, and seeks to identify those responsible for publishing the material.
Governance tensions and AGM backdrop
The posts referenced in the legal notice arise amid ongoing debate among members regarding the club’s governance structure, particularly the role and influence of the “benefactor member” under the current constitution. In the lead-up to the AGM, a member-led steering committee has raised concerns about these arrangements, with discussion increasingly moving onto social media platforms where differing views on the club’s direction have been openly expressed.
The “Sydney Olympic Supporters” Facebook page referenced in the notice was no longer accessible at the time of publication. The page, which has been active for several years and regularly hosted criticism of the club’s leadership, appears to have been taken down following the issuing of the correspondence.
In its statement, Sydney Olympic FC encouraged members to review the correspondence, noting that the matter will be addressed in further detail at the club’s AGM on Tuesday, 21 April.
