Antwerp forced to continue without Overmars after FIFA accepts one-year suspension
According to Dutch newspaper NRC, football's world governing body FIFA has accepted a one-year suspension of Marc Overmars for sexual misconduct during his time at Dutch club Ajax. The details of the suspension are not yet known, but it is expected that he won't be able to continue his role as director of football at Royal Antwerp FC until November 2024.
The former Netherlands international was sacked by Ajax in February 2022 after it emerged he had sent photos of his genitals to female colleagues. His one-year suspension, handed down by the Instituut Sportrechtspraak in November, was forwarded to FIFA by the Dutch Football Association last month.
10-month suspension expected
According to Dutch news outlet NRC, FIFA has decided to accept the suspension, making it a worldwide rather than a national ban. Overmars has only received a short explanation and expects a 10-month suspension. That means he will not be able to continue his work with Royal Antwerp FC, the current Belgian champions, until November 2024.
In response to questions from NRC, a FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA can confirm that following a request from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has decided to make the sanction imposed by KNVB on Mr Marc Overmars effective worldwide."
Overmars will receive a more detailed explanation on Wednesday, after which he will decide whether or not to appeal the decision. His contract with Antwerp runs until 2026.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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