OVERMARS FACED WITH A LIFE BAN

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MARC OVERMARS could be banned from Dutch football for life over the sexting scandal that forced his resignation.

The former Arsenal winger stepped down as director of football at Ajax after admitting sending obscene messages and pictures to female employees.

His behaviour contravenes regulations requiring everyone working in the game in Holland to adhere to strict standards of personal integrity.

Among the possible sanctions available to the Dutch FA is an order preventing Overmars from holding any position in the domestic game ever again.

The rules apply to coaches, managers and medical staff – as well as board members and directors – of Dutch clubs.

But such a ban would not stop Overmars from returning to England as a director of football in the Premier League.

The 48-year-old quit last week after the Ajax board received several complaints from women employees, claiming that he had sent them inappropriate texts and sexually explicit photographs. He is regarded as one of the best directors of football in the game after building an Ajax team that has re-emerged as the dominant force in Holland during his reign.

Overmars (above) signed a new deal with Ajax only two months ago after Newcastle tried to tempt him to Tyneside.

He is married to former Miss Holland Chantal van Woensel and they have two grown-up sons, Frenkie and Nick.

The Dutchman admitted he was ashamed of his behaviour when he stood down last weekend. He has also made an apology on Ajax’s website and has asked for privacy for himself and his family.

Overmars was tempted by Newcastle’s offer, but felt it was not the right move with the Toon in a relegation fight – and Ajax rewarded him with a huge pay rise.

He made it clear before his fall from grace that he would like to test himself in the Premier League.

But his reputation is now in tatters, with EA Sports removing him as a ‘digital legend’ from their FIFA 22 computer game.