Antwerp support Marc Overmars in appeal against FIFA ban: ‘Everyone should be given a second chance’ | OneFootball

Antwerp have released a statement showing their support for the club’s sporting director Marc Overmars. Following his dismissal and a subsequent investigation, the former Ajax sporting director was given a ban from football activities by FIFA, which followed on from a ruling by the Dutch FA.

Antwerp said ‘When Marc Overmars came to RAFC in March 2022, the club reported that we had made a careful and well-considered decision. We still believe that everyone should get a second chance. Marc Overmars will continue to carry his past with him and will have to continue to prove that he has learned from it. Unambiguous agreements have also been made because a safe working environment for all our players and employees is a priority and because we have zero tolerance for undesirable behavior in the workplace’.

They also said ‘As a club we will respect the ruling, but we want to collectively support the person we have had the pleasure of getting to know as a person and as a professional over the past two years’.

This has all come following the unfurling of a banner following the sides victory over Charleroi at the weekend that stated support for Overmars.

Many will be pointing to the fact that Antwerp hired him so quickly after he was sacked by Ajax and this statement from the club as a means to dismiss what was done in the past. Rather than help calm the situation down, the statement appears to add further fuel to the fire. At the time of his appointment, Antwerp fans also announced their concerns about bringing Overmars in so soon after the events in Amsterdam.

Overmars and his entourage have informed FIFA and the club that they will appeal the suspension that was handed out.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson