Marc Overmars Faces Football Ban: A Fall From Grace After Ajax Controversy

Former Netherlands winger Marc Overmars will face a year-long ban from holding any position in professional football due to his inappropriate behavior towards women during his time at Ajax. The Dutch football association (KNVB) has confirmed reports from the NRC newspaper, quoting Fifa’s decision to take over the suspension imposed on Overmars in the Netherlands last year.

Overmars resigned from his position at Ajax in February 2022, acknowledging his “unacceptable” behavior after revelations surfaced within the club regarding inappropriate messages and photographs sent to several women employees. An independent sports tribunal had initially banned Overmars from any role in Dutch football for two years, with one year suspended. The KNVB sought Fifa’s intervention to extend the domestic suspension globally.

“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,” stated the KNVB. Currently serving as the technical director at Belgian club Royal Antwerp, Overmars joined shortly after leaving Ajax abruptly.

A spokesperson for Overmars informed NRC that he had been notified of the suspension but was not ready to provide a statement. The report suggests that Overmars could potentially appeal against Fifa’s sanction.