Former Arsenal star Marc Overmars hit with one-year ban for inappropriate behaviour at Ajax

The former Dutch winger stepped down from his position as director of football at Ajax in February 2022, citing his regret for his actions and acknowledging that he had sent a "series of inappropriate messages" to female coworkers. A month later, he was given a "second chance" at Belgian side, Royal Antwerp, when he was named the team's technical director. Overmars has now been ordered by the Dutch Sports Tribunal (ISR) to refrain from "exercising any function" with any Dutch FA-affiliated organisation for a period of two years, one of which is suspended.

Since March 2022, Overmars has been employed by Antwerp, for whom he is still eligible to work. Overmars' activities in Belgium are unaffected by the decision, but in the upcoming year, he will be unable to work for the KNVB or any other Dutch football association-affiliated organisations.

"In view of his position as a statutory director and de facto manager within the Ajax organization, Van Overmars could have been expected to have been aware of the exemplary role he had and that he had abstained from such behaviour,” the ISR said, according to NOS. "Even when he thought it was done on the basis of reciprocity and voluntariness."

Antwerp has not yet commented on the ISR's decision. The club administration has accepted Overmars' appointment with grace and does not anticipate that he will make another mistake in Belgium.