Marc Overmars is appealing against his worldwide suspension. Overmars was suspended in the Netherlands for inappropriate behavior during his time at Ajax. World football association FIFA recently took over that suspension and implemented it worldwide, meaning he is not allowed to work as technical director at Royal Antwerp FC for a year.
His lawyer tells the Belgian newspaper The last news that there are several reasons to file an appeal. “An important reason is that not being allowed to work worldwide for a year is disproportionate to the violation, one case of transgressive behavior, for which he was punished by the Institute for Sports Jurisprudence (ISR) in the Netherlands.”
Overmars departed in February 2022 at Ajax after several accusations of inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues. Ajax reported it to the Institute for Sports Justice (ISR) in February 2022, after an office employee complained about him a month earlier.
Suspension
He was suspended in the Netherlands for a year last November, after the ISR concluded that Overmars had violated the rules on Sexual Harassment during his time as director of football affairs at Ajax. He had sent inappropriate messages to several female colleagues and he also intruded further into the private lives of athletes than necessary.
The suspension had no direct consequences for Overmars, because he now works in Belgium. However, the KNVB transferred the punishment to the FIFA disciplinary committee. That body determined two weeks ago that the suspension also applies internationally.
Antwerp players supported Overmars yesterday with a banner. A large number of supporters of that club also showed their support with the same banner.