Royal Antwerp sponsor cuts ties following Marc Overmars appointment

Overmars was unveiled as the new technical director of Antwerp on Monday

A sponsor of Royal Antwerp has announced it will end its deal with the Belgian club following the decision to appoint former Ajax chief Marc Overmars as technical director. Former Arsenal winger Overmars resigned last month after admitting sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues at Ajax. However, the 48-year-old Overmars was officially announced as the new technical director of the Antwerp just weeks after leaving Ajax, where he will assume a similar role to the one he held at the Johan Cruyff Arena for a decade. Overmars was forced to step down from his position at Ajax after conversations with CEO and former teammate Edwin van der Sar following reports of alleged misconduct - something he later described as 'unacceptable.'

The Select Group were 'surprised' by the appointment

Now, the Select Group - a personnel management agency - said it was surprised by the appointment which goes against its values. "As a permanent partner and sponsor of RAFC, we were neither consulted nor informed in advance," it said in a statement. "The decision to appoint Mr Overmars, who was recently accused of repeated transgressive behaviour and who is currently subject to an independent investigation in the Netherlands, is directly against the values and standards of Select Group. "However, we sincerely believe that after a conscious period of self-reflection, every person deserves a second chance. We therefore deeply regret that during the press conference (announcing Overmars' arrival) there was no mention of this process of self-reflection, neither by the management of RAFC nor by Mr Overmars himself.

It added: "We have therefore decided not to renew our partnership with RAFC for the 2022-2023 season."

Overmars says the matters at Ajax has been 'appropriately dealt with'

Speaking at his presentation at Antwerp on Monday, Overmars insisted that the matters at Ajax had been appropriately dealt with and had not impacted his discussions with his new employer.

"What has happened at Ajax won't happen again," he said.

"I am glad to be here. It is a new chapter for me. A beautiful challenge at a club where I see potential to grow."

Overmars, a former Dutch international, played for Ajax between 1992 and 1997 and later became the club's director in 2012. He had been re-appointed for a new term until 2026 shortly before his departure from the Eredivisie league-leaders. Related links:

• Marc Overmars finds new job just weeks after leaving Ajax under a cloud
• Marc Overmars removed form FIFA Ultimate Team after messaging scandal
• Marc Overmars leaves Ajax after series of inappropriate messages sent to female colleagues