Disgraced former Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has been “suspended” from FIFA 22’s fan-favourite Ultimate Team mode, EA Sports has confirmed.
The 48-year-old Arsenal legend sent a ‘series of inappropriate messages’ to ‘several female colleagues’ and Overmars described his behaviour as “unacceptable.”
Ajax last Sunday confirmed that Overmars, who was hired as the club’s sporting director in 2012, would leave the Eredivisie side with “immediate effect.”
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Overmars was first introduced as an Ultimate Team ‘Icon’ in FIFA 17 and returned in FIFA 22 with three variations of his FUT card.
The former Ajax and Arsenal star has an 86-rated card and 88-rated card as a left winger, with Overmars’ prime Icon card holding an impressive 90 rating.
However, EA Sports has now revealed that Overmars will no longer be available in Ultimate Team packs, Squad Building Challenges (SBC) or in the FUT Draft.
And the FIFA 22 publisher added that existing Overmars-related FUT items will have their price “range in the Transfer Market [...] fixed until further notice.”
EA Sports said in a statement: “To the FIFA community, Marc Overmars has been suspended from appearing in FIFA Ultimate Team Packs and Ultimate Draft.
“As such, Marc Overmars ICON items will no longer be made available in Packs, SBCs and FUT Draft, and their range in the Transfer Market has been fixed until further notice. The FIFA Team.”
Ajax board chairman Leen Meijaard explained that Overmars had crossed the “line” with his actions and his position as director of football was no longer viable.
“This is a dramatic situation for everyone who is involved in any way,” he said in a statement.
“It is devastating for the women who have had to deal with the behaviour. When we heard news of this, we immediately acted, carefully deliberating and weighing what was the best thing to do -- all in consultation with CEO Edwin van der Sar and assisted by an external expert.
“Marc is probably the best football director that Ajax has had. We upgraded and extended his contract for a reason.
“But, unfortunately, he has really gone over the line, so continuing as director was not an option, as he recognised himself.
“It is extremely painful for everyone. I want to express the wish that everyone involved is given the peace and privacy to process this.”
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, 52, broke his silence over the Overmars situation and insisted that his “first thoughts” are with the “suffering of the women.”
Topics: Ajax, Eredivisie, Netherlands, Football, FIFA 22, FIFA Ultimate Team, Gaming
Adnan Riaz