The affair appears, at first glance, implausible. It is not that much, when we detail the curriculum vitae of its protagonist. The current vice-president of Suriname, Ronnie Brunswijk, 60, was banned, Saturday, September 25, for three years by the Football Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf), after having been seen distributing money to opponents of the football team he owns and plays.
The facts took place Tuesday, September 21, during the League match – an official Concacaf competition – between the Suriname club, Inter Moengotapoe, owned by Mr. Brunswijk, and the Honduran club Olimpia.
“After evaluating the actions highlighted in a video, which circulated on social networks after the Concacaf Inter League match Moengotapoe contre the Club Deportivo Olimpia, and examined the written statements provided by the two clubs, the disciplinary committee determined that serious breaches of integrity rules had occurred ”, Concacaf explained in its press release.
“As a result of these rule violations, it was decided that Mr. Ronnie Brunswijk would be banned for three years from any participation in any capacity whatsoever in Concacaf competitions., the statement continued. The two clubs have also been disqualified and excluded from the current edition of the competition, with immediate effect. “
Former guerrilla
Concacaf announced on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation, the day after Ronnie Brunswijk’s participation in this match. The video, which allowed Concacaf to give substance to suspicions of corruption, showed Mr. Brunswijk distributing money to Olimpia players in their locker room, in an atmosphere of jubilation, after the round of 16 first leg of the Concacaf League, largely won by the Honduran team (6-0).
Video was streamed tonight from Olimpia’s locker room that appears to show Ronnie Brunswijk giving people in the lo… https://t.co/doel2bK7h1
Previously, this former guerrilla had designated himself as the holder – and captain – of his team, and had played for fifty-four minutes, in attack, alongside his son Damian Brunswijk.
Concacaf assured “Continue to investigate this matter, as well as the other persons involved, and reserves the right to submit any additional evidence to its disciplinary committee” which may lead to other possible sanctions. The second leg of this round of 16 was scheduled for Wednesday, September 29.
Convicted of drug trafficking
Former army sergeant, Ronnie Brunswijk had taken up arms, becoming a rebel leader against dictator Desi Bouterse in the 1980s. A wealthy businessman, he was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for drug trafficking in 1999 by the Dutch justice (of which Suriname is a former colony), and at ten years by the French justice, but Suriname does not extradite its nationals.
Elected MP in 2005, he had recently allied with the former minister of justice of his country, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, head of the main political opposition organization.
Mr Santokhi was elected president by acclamation in July 2020, and Brunswijk, vice-president by parliament for a five-year term at the helm of this oil and gold-exporting country of some 600,000 people and border with French Guiana.
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