Suriname Vice President Under Investigation After Starting Himself In A Game

Suriname vice president Ronnie Brunswijk is under investigation, after the 60-year-old played in a game for the football team he owns.

60-year-old Brunswijk became an internet sensation on Tuesday night when he played for Inter Moengotapoe, the professional football team he is the owner of.

Inter were facing Honduran side Olimpia in the CONCACAF League, the North America, Central America and Caribbean version of the Europa League.

Brunswijk played 54 minutes, as his team were beaten 6-0 at home, and wore the captain's armband, as he become the oldest player to play in an international club competition.

A video of the owner, and country vice president, handing out money after the match went viral whilst he was in the opposition's changing room, leading to CONCACAF opening an investigation.

"We are extremely concerned at the content of a video circulating on social media which raises potential integrity issues surrounding the CONCACAF League match between Inter Moengotapoe and CD Olimpia," a statement said.

"The matter is being referred to the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee who will commence a formal investigation and a further update will be provided when that process has concluded."

The 60-year-old is actually wanted by Interpol for drug-trafficking offences and wouldn't be able to travel to Honduras for the second leg because of it.

It's utterly crazy that any one has had to type that sentence when talking about football, but that's the situation we're in here.

Whilst the decision to play the country's V.P was criticised by media in Honduras, the Olimpia defender Johnny Leveron wasn't too fussed.

"It was their choice and did they did what they thought was best for their team," Leveron said after the game.

"We don't get involved in that."

Olimpia assistant coach Gustavo Reggi also spoke about the decision, saying, "We found out half an hour earlier when they gave us the squad. This is a matter for our rivals. We just had to focus on ourselves.

"We represent a club, and we have to do it in the best possible way whether national or internationally. That is what we came here to do. We are happy with the win and now we will wait for the return leg."

Featured Image Credit: TUDN/Twitter

Topics: Football

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

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