FIFA has imposed a six-month suspension on Manuel Arias, the president of Panama’s soccer federation, for making derogatory comments about Marta Cox, a star midfielder on the national women’s soccer team. Arias’ comments, made after Cox criticized the setup of the team, referred to her as “fat.”
The comments came shortly after Panama’s women’s team qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. FIFA’s decision follows the backlash over Arias’ offensive remark and highlights the ongoing challenges of combating body shaming and discrimination in sports.
The Suspension Details
According to a statement released by the Panamanian soccer federation, Arias is banned until July 14, 2025, during which time he will be prohibited from participating in any federated soccer-related activities.
This suspension will keep him from attending key matches involving the national men’s team, including Nations League games in March, two 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June, and the Gold Cup tournament scheduled for June and July 2025. Arias’ absence from these events could impact the administration of Panamanian soccer at a critical time for the national teams.
Arias acknowledged his actions in a post on social media, expressing regret for his “unfortunate language” used in March 2024. He admitted that his comments were inappropriate and should never have been made. His apology, however, did little to mitigate the consequences of his actions, which have now resulted in the suspension. Arias’ statement reflects an attempt to move past the incident but also highlights the significant public backlash that followed his fat-shaming comment.
Interim Leadership of the Federation
In light of Arias’ suspension, the Panamanian soccer federation has appointed vice president Fernando Arce as the interim leader. Arce will oversee the operations of the federation until the suspension expires in mid-2025. The federation also recognized that there is still much work to be done in improving women’s soccer within the country. This move is intended to stabilize the leadership while the focus shifts to the development of the women’s game, especially following the controversy that has clouded the sport in Panama.
Marta Cox, the player at the center of the controversy, recently signed with Turkish club Fenerbahce after a stint in Mexico with Xolos. Cox, 27, gained international attention during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where she scored in a 6-3 loss to France in the group stage. Her performance on the global stage continues to elevate her status as a prominent figure in women’s soccer. Despite the controversy surrounding her, Cox’s focus remains on her career, and she continues to push forward as a key player in international women’s soccer.
