Panama football president suspended for calling player 'fat'

The Panamanian Football Federation said Thursday that FIFA had banned its president, Manuel Arias, from performing his duties for six months after he referred to a player as "fat."

Arias was sanctioned for using "inappropriate language" about Marta Cox, a member of the Panama national team and Turkey's Fenerbahce club.

In March 2023, Arias called the 27-year-old Cox "fat" to reporters after she 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.

"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.

He later described his words as "very unfortunate" and said Thursday he accepted the sanction for a "serious error committed."