Marc Overmars banned over inappropriate behaviour towards women

Former Netherlands international Marc Overmars will not be allowed to hold any position in professional Football for at least a year as a result of his inappropriate behaviour towards women at Ajax.

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has confirmed reports in the Dutch newspaper NRC, which quoted FIFA as saying it had taken over the suspension handed to Overmars in the Netherlands in November.

“Unacceptable” behaviour

Former Arsenal winger Overmars quit his job at Dutch giants Ajax in February 2022, admitting to “unacceptable” behaviour after it emerged that he had sent inappropriate messages and photographs to several women who worked with the Amsterdam club.

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Global suspension

An independent Sports tribunal banned the 50-year-old from any position in Dutch Football for two years over the incidents, with one year suspended. The KNVB later asked FIFA to turn the domestic suspension into a global one.

“We have a duty to report this sanction to FIFA’s disciplinary committee... which has decided to take over the suspension as of 16 November 2023,” the KNVB said.

Overmars is currently the technical director of Belgian side Royal Antwerp, whom he joined after leaving Ajax. The Dutch director could appeal against FIFA’s sanction, the newspaper added.