Former Dutch international and Arsenal player Marc Overmars will not be allowed to play professional football for at least one year because of his inappropriate behaviour towards women at Ajax, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has announced.
The KNVB confirmed earlier reports by the Dutch newspaper NRC, which quoted world football governing body Fifa as saying that it had taken over the suspension handed down to Overmars in the Netherlands at the end of last year.
Overmars quit his job at Ajax in February 2022, admitting “unacceptable” behaviour after it emerged he had sent inappropriate messages and photographs to several women who worked at the club.
Last year, Overmars was banned by the Independent Court of Arbitration for Sport from holding any position in Dutch football for two years, one of which was suspended, as a result of these incidents.
The KNVB subsequently asked Fifa to turn the domestic suspension into a global one.
“We are obliged to report this sanction to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee …, which has decided to take up the suspension on 16 November 2023,” the KNVB said in a statement.
Overmars is technical director of Belgian side Royal Antwerp, which he joined shortly after his sudden departure from Ajax.
Overmars’ spokesman told the NRC that the former Netherlands, Arsenal and Barcelona winger had been informed of the suspension but was not yet ready to comment.
Overmars can appeal Fifa’s sanction, the newspaper said.