Pro ShotsMarc Overmars
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 12:35
The international football association FIFA has rejected Marc Overmars’ appeal against his worldwide ban. Overmars is therefore not allowed to hold any position in football until November 2024.
Last autumn, Overmars was banned from working in the Netherlands following cross-border messages he had sent to a female employee as director of Ajax’s football affairs.
He was suspended by Ajax in February 2022 and suspended by the Dutch Sports Jurisdiction Institute in November 2023 for two years, one of which was conditional.
FIFA took over that suspension in early January. Overmars felt that the worldwide work ban was a punishment that was disproportionate to his offense.
Overmars: ‘Mutual, but stupid’
In conversation with the NOS, Overmars gave his interpretation of the facts that led to his departure from Ajax and suspension.
“I have been suspended because I sent cross-border messages to one female colleague. The fact that the app traffic was mutual does not change the fact that I should never have done that. It was stupid. And I feel very sorry for my wife Chantal, my two children and my family who have gone through a terrible time because of my mistake.”
The rejection was confirmed by Frank Neervoort, Overmars’ spokesperson. “We have received a two-sentence message. The first sentence states that the appeal has been rejected, the second sentence states that the costs incurred will be borne by Mr Overmars,” says Neervoort.
The motivation for the decision of the world football association is not yet known to Neervoort. “We now have to request this via a FIFA portal. It also took a while last time.”
A decision on whether to go to the international sports tribunal CAS, the last appeal option, will only be made after reading the motivation, according to Neervoort.
Antwerp and Ajax
After leaving Ajax, Overmars soon joined the Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC. Under the technical leadership of the Dutchman, Antwerp won the double of championship and cup.
The national title was the first since 1957 for the club, which also played in the Champions League for the first time.
Pro ShotsAntwerp players show their support for Overmars after the FIFA suspension.
In conversation with the NOS, Overmars revealed last week that he had twice received an offer to return to his old employer Ajax, the first time only a month after his departure. However, Overmars preferred to stay abroad.
This was confirmed by extensive message traffic, which the NOS has seen.
2024-02-07 11:35:01
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