FIFA suspends the President of the Panama Football Association due to his insulting comments about the star of the women’s national team

FIFA has suspended the president of the Panamanian Football Association over his offensive comment about a star player in the women’s national team.

Arias’ guide suggested that midfielder Marta Cox was “fat” after she made critical comments about the formation of the national team that qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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

The ban prevents Arias from a series of men’s national team matches in the CONCACAF region: Nations League matches in March, two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in June, and the US Gold Cup tournament scheduled from June 14 to July 6. From the 2023 Men’s Gold Cup, where they lost to Mexico.

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

“You 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 serve as interim president until the ban ends, and acknowledged it still had work to do in women’s football.

Cox recently signed for Turkish club Fenerbahce after playing in Mexico for the Xolos. The 27-year-old scored a goal in the Women’s World Cup finals during a 6-3 loss to France in the group stage.