Inappropriate messages to employees – “I’m ashamed,” says Overmars
Marc Overmars has been in management at Ajax Amsterdam since the summer of 2012″/> Marc Overmars has been in management at Ajax Amsterdam since the summer of 2012
Quelle: DeFodi Images via Getty Images/DeFodi Images
Marc Overmars has resigned as football director of Ajax Amsterdam. It was previously known that he had sent text messages with explicit content to female employees of the club over a long period of time. The ex-national player admitted the misconduct.
Dhe former Dutch national soccer player Marc Overmars has resigned as sporting director of Ajax Amsterdam due to allegations of harassment. Overmars said his behavior toward female employees was “certainly unacceptable for someone in my position.” “I’m ashamed,” he said.
According to a statement from the association, the 48-year-old had sent a “series of inappropriate messages” to those affected. According to the club, he practiced this “over a longer period of time”.
CEO Edwin van der Sar called the situation “terrible for everyone” and promised to pay even more attention in the future. “Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I was crossing a line with that,” Overmars explained.
Last week he was then confronted with “reports about my behavior” and “how it affected others”. He now sees that he made mistakes, “but it’s too late”. Therefore, there is “no other way than to leave Ajax”.
“Unfortunately, Overmars has really crossed the line”
Overmars, who represented the Netherlands at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and the 2000 and 2004 European Championships, has been at Ajax since the summer of 2012 and recently had his contract extended until 2026. Chairman of the board Leen Meijaard described Overmars as “the best director of football that Ajax has ever had”.
Meijaard added: “It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with this behavior.” When the oversight bodies found out about his news, “we acted immediately and carefully considered and weighed what is best to do.” Meijaard explained : “Unfortunately, he really crossed the line, so that a sequel as a director was out of the question.” The step was “very painful for everyone”.
