Royal Antwerp sponsors axe deal with club over Marc Overmars statement fury

A sponsor for Belgian side Royal Antwerp have ended their deal with the club following Antwerp's decision to hire former Ajax director Marc Overmars.

Overmars stepped down from his role at Ajax six weeks ago after admitting 'unacceptable' behaviour after leaks within the club exposed messages to fellow employees from the Dutchman. Evidence showed Overmars had sent inappropriate messages, and even photographs, to multiple women who worked at Ajax.

But the 48-year-old was announced as the new director of Antwerp on Monday despite still being subject to an independent investigation in the Netherlands. And the Belgian club are set to lose one of their sponsorship deals as a result.

The Select Group are a personal management agency that sponsor Antwerp, and released a statement following their disappointment that Overmars had been appointed. Not only did they say that it went against their values, but they claimed they were not even consulted before a decision was made.

Their statement read: "As a permanent partner and sponsor of RAFC, we were neither consulted nor informed in advance. 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."

Select Group did insist that in spite of their decision, everyone deserves a second chance upon a period of self-reflection. But due to the fact that this was not addressed upon his arrival, they have decided to end their sponsorship at the end of the season.

Their statement continued: "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.

"We have therefore decided not to renew our partnership with RAFC for the 2022-2023 season." Overmars did address the situation at Ajax in his first press-conference, but didn't appear to show any remorse.

Overmars said on Monday during his unveiling: "What has happened at Ajax won't happen again. 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."

Antwerp general manager Sven Jaecques admitted that he had not spoken to female workers at the club about his appointment either, but insisted that Overmars deserved another chance to get back into football. "It is important to give people new opportunities and to turn the page," Jaecques said.

Overmars cemented himself as a football legend after starring for Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona, and became director at Ajax in 2012. He had recently extended his stay with Ajax until 2026, but following the scandal, Overmars stepped down from his role, and will now seek a new challenge in Belgium.