Former Netherlands winger Marc Overmars’ suspension from holding a position in Dutch football has now been expanded to a worldwide ban by FIFA, the global governing body.
In November 2023, an autonomous Dutch sports tribunal imposed a two-year ban on Overmars, with one year of the ban suspended.
The punishment followed his sending a “series of inappropriate messages to several female colleagues” while he was director of football at Ajax.
Overmars, aged 50, departed from his position at Ajax in February 2022 and presently serves as the technical director at the Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
“Fifa can confirm that following a request by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), the Fifa Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the sanction imposed by KNVB on Mr Marc Overmars to have worldwide effect,” read a Fifa statement.
Having accumulated over 130 appearances for Ajax from 1992 to 1997, Overmars secured three league titles, the Dutch cup, and the Champions League with the club before transferring to Arsenal. At Arsenal, he achieved the Double.
Subsequently, he moved on to Barcelona, and after retiring from playing, he dedicated 10 years to serving as the director of football affairs at Ajax.
“I am ashamed,” Overmars said in 2022 when he left Ajax because of his messages to female colleagues.
“Certainly for someone in my position this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that but it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.”