Former Dutch national soccer player Marc Overmars has lodged an appeal against the worldwide professional ban imposed by the world association FIFA.
“One case of cross-border behavior does not justify a worldwide ban on work”A spokesman for Overmar’s media representatives said on Monday (January 22, 2024) that the verdict was “exaggerated”. It is not yet known when the appeal hearing will take place.
Overmars sent messages that “crossed boundaries”
Overmars, 50, who once played for Arsenal and FC Barcelona, had sent messages to club employees during his time as sporting director at Ajax Amsterdam, “exceeded the limits” as the club expressed at the beginning of 2022. “Especially for someone in my position, this behavior is unacceptable”Overmars himself said at the time.
He therefore resigned from Ajax in February 2022, and a little over a month later he joined Royal Antwerp – where he still works as sports director today.
In November 2023, the former professional was banned from working in Dutch football for one year plus another year on probation. At the beginning of January, this was extended to all football activities worldwide by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.