Not a week goes by without a new scandal tarnishing the image of the most popular sport on the planet, football. After the very serious case involving the young star of Manchester United, Mason Greenwood, accused of rape by his partner, a new very serious story is causing a stir in the Netherlands. A true icon in his country as well as in the eyes of football fans, Marc Overmars delighted Arsenal and FC Barcelona fans for many seasons. A fast and very technical winger, he also made the national team happy for more than ten years.
Except that today, the 48-year-old former footballer no longer inspires the same respect in his country… Having become sports director of his favorite club, Ajax Amsterdam, he has just to resign, as the club explained last Sunday. And the reason has nothing to do with the sporting aspect, but rather the very problematic behavior of Marc Overmars towards his female colleagues, to whom he sent a “series of inappropriate messages”announces Ajax in its press release.
A “devastating” situation according to the president
A “dramatic situation” according to club board chairman Leen Meijaard, who adds that she may have been “devastating for women who have had to deal with this behavior”. If on the sporting level Marc Overmars is considered as ‘probably the best director of football Ajax have ever had’ by the latter, he insists that “continuing was not an option” for the ajacid institution.
For the time being, the former teammate of Emmanuel Petit and Thierry Henry at Arsenal did not wish to comment on this situation, but it is a safe bet that he will have a hard time finding work if early…