Clubs banned over Suriname vice-president game

MIAMI: Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe and Honduran club Olimpia have been thrown out of this year’s Concacaf League after an investigation found “serious breaches” of integrity rules, the region’s governing body said.

The two clubs’ game in Paramaribo on Tuesday made worldwide headlines after Inter owner and Suriname vice-president Ronnie Brunswijk – aged 60 – selected himself to start the game.

Video shared widely on social media after Tuesday’s game – which ended in a 6-0 defeat for Inter – showed Brunswijk appearing to distribute cash to Olimpia players following the game.

In a statement on Saturday, Concacaf said Inter Moengotapoe and Olimpia had been ejected from the Concacaf League with “immediate effect”.

Brunswijk has also been banned from participating in any Concacaf competition in any capacity for three years, the statement added.

“The Concacaf Disciplinary Committee have fully investigated the circumstances surrounding the integrity concerns raised by a video which circulated on social media following the Inter Moengotapoe vs Olimpia Concacaf League match,” Concacaf said.

“Having assessed the actions evidenced in the video and considered written statements provided by both clubs, the committee have determined that serious breaches of integrity rules occurred after the match.

“As a consequence of these rule breaches, both clubs have been disqualified and removed from this year’s Concacaf League with immediate effect.

“Additionally, the committee have ruled that Mr Ronnie Brunswijk is banned for three years from participating in any capacity in Concacaf competitions.”

Concacaf said investigations were ongoing and other individuals could also be sanctioned in connection with the case.

Brunswijk played for 54 minutes in Inter’s defeat on Tuesday, appearing alongside Damian Brunswijk – his son.