Panama football boss suspended for calling player ‘fat’
FILE–The president of the Panamanian Football Federation, Manuel Arias, is pictured after a press conference at the Public Ministry in Panama City on September 3, 2024. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP)
The Panamanian Football Federation said Thursday FIFA had banned its boss Manuel Arias from performing his functions for six months for calling a player “fat.”
Federation president Arias was sanctioned for using “inappropriate language” about Marta Cox who plays for the Panama national team and for Turkey’s Fenerbahce club.
Article continues after this advertisementArias had called the 27-year-old “fat” to reporters in March 2023 after the player criticized women’s football in Panama, which has an amateur league where most players do not receive a salary or have access to proper stadiums or training facilities.
FILE–Marta Cox #10 of Panama takes a knee after losing to Brazil 5-0. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP
“She is out of shape, she’s fat, she couldn’t move on the field,” Arias said at the time.
Cox threatened to leave the national team, prompting Arias to apologize.
Article continues after this advertisementHe has described his choice of words as “very unfortunate” and said Thursday he accepted the sanction for a “serious error committed.”