Ex-Barcelona and Arsenal star receives worldwide ban from global football for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues 

Marc Overmars has been banned for two years by FIFA.

Ex-Barcelona and Arsenal star receives worldwide ban from global football for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues 

Marc Overmars is currently at Royal Antwerp as a technical director. (Image via Sky Sports)

Marc Overmars admitted at the start of 2022 that he had sent inappropriate messages to his female colleagues at Ajax. He also admitted to sending pictures of his genitalia as well. While he did express remorse, he resigned from his post as Ajax’s Director of Football. 

The Netherlands Football Association, Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond (KNVB), reported his actions to FIFA and banned him for 2 years, with one year suspended in November 2023. This effectively banned him from working in the Netherlands but found work in Belgium after joining Royal Antwerp as their Technical Director. 

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Now it looks like he will now be forced to leave Antwerp as FIFA has decided to ban him from global football. In a statement by the global body, they agreed with the decision of the KNVB and banned him from getting any positions across the globe. This ban will last till November 2025.

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I am ashamed. Last week I was confronted with reports about my behavior. And how this has come across to others. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days. I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologize. Certainly for someone in my position, this behavior is unacceptable. I now see that too. But it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax. 
Marc Overmars on his resignation

There have not been any statements by Overmars and Royal Antwerp regarding his ban, but it is now assumed that he will be leaving the club soon. Overmars joined Ajax as a youth coach in 2011 but assumed the role of the Director of Football the very next year. He held the post for 10 years, before resigning in February 2022. 

Marc Overmars’ reign at Ajax 

Marc Overmars played for Ajax for five years, from 1992 to 1997. He won the Eredivisie thrice and the Champions League once. He left for Arsenal in 1997 but returned to Ajax as a coach in 2011/12. Then he was coaching once a week for the youth team, while also being in the supervisory committee of Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles. Due to Go Ahead Eagles’ poor form, he quit and decided to join Ajax on a full-time basis as their Director of Football. 

Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars was Ajax’s Director of Football for 10 years before resigning. (Image via TEAMtalk)

Under his leadership, the club flourished. In the next decade, they won the league four times and secured the KVNB Cup twice. Always in the top 2, they could’ve clinched the 2020 league title, but the season was voided. In 2018/19, Overmars’ reign led to a remarkable Champions League journey, defeating Real Madrid and Juventus but falling to Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals.

The 50-year-old fostered a culture prioritizing homegrown talent. Star players like Matthijs de Ligt, Jurrien Timber, Ryan Gravenberch, and Christian Eriksen rose from the club’s youth ranks.

In the statement in which Overmars announced his resignation, Ajax chairman of the supervisory board said Overmars was the best DoF the club had ever seen. He also admitted he crossed a line and had to be removed. 

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