A TOP Jamaican football official had to rescue Sports Minister Roger Boynes from being evicted from his seat in the VVIP section at the football stadium in Dortmund, Germany, during the game between the Soca Warriors and Sweden, to accommodate former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and his wife Oma.

A source told TnT Mirror that Boynes, who was blanked from the VVIP section in all of the three matches the Soca Warriors played in their first round matches, was invited to sit in the VVIP section by Jamaican former football chief, Captain Horace Burrell.

The sports minister was at the time seated at the back of the VIP section.

During half-time when the Soca Warriors were battling Sweden, Panday, who was accompanied by an official from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), providing him with security, walked into the VVIP and went to where Boynes was seated.

Panday’s security officer asked the sports minister to vacate his seat to allow Panday to sit.

Captain Burrell who was seated nearby tried to prevent an embarrassing incident and informed the TTFA official that Boynes is the sports minister and asked why he wanted him to move.

Burrell then offered Panday his seat and went to the back.

ROGER BOYNES ...
saved from
embarrassment.

According to the source, FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner, his wife, son, Panday and his wife, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Vasant Bharath, and top officials of the TTFA were seated in the VVIP area.

Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to London, Glenda Morean was also in the VVIP section, where dignitaries and sports ministers from around the world were seated.

The source said Boynes was the only sports minister who was given a VIP pass (a back seat) with the two other officials from the Ministry of Sports.

When asked to comment on the incident, Boynes confirmed that he was asked to move from his seat in the VVIP area.

He said Captain Burrell did intervene, offering his own seat to Panday and allowed him (Boynes) to remain where he was seated.

The sports minister admitted he was not given VVIP passes for the three Soca Warriors matches.

“I was not concerned where I sat.

“I went to Germany to support the Soca Warriors,” he added.