FIFA has banned Panama’s soccer president for making abusive comments about the star of the women’s national team

FIFA suspended the president of the Panamanian football federation for his comments about the star player of the women’s national team.

Manuel Arias has suggested midfielder Marta Cox is “fat” after critical comments about the structure in the national team that qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

“President Arias has been banned for a period of six months, until July 14, 2025, during which time he will not be able to participate in activities related to confederation football,” the Panamanian Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday.

The ban excludes Arias from a number of men’s national team games in the CONCACAF region: the Nations League games in March, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June and the Gold Cup tournament in the United States from June 14 to July 6. Panama reached the final. men’s Gold Cup 2023, lost to Mexico.

Arias said Thursday on social media that her ban was due to “unfortunate” comments in March 2024.

“I used very unfortunate language that should never have been used,” Arias said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The federation said vice-president Fernando Arce would act as interim leader until the ban expires, admitting there was still work to be done in women’s football.

After playing for Xolos in Mexico, Cox signed a contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce. The 27-year-old football player scored a goal in the group stage of the Women’s World Championship when they lost to France 6:3.