Panama Football Federation President Suspended for 6 Months

The FIFA Ethics Committee has confirmed a six-month suspension and a fine of over $24,000 for Manuel Arias Corco, president of the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF). This sanction stems from a case that began when he referred to a player on the national women's team as "out of shape" and "fat." In January of last year, the FIFA Ethics Committee had already notified Arias of a six-month suspension "for the improper use of language." However, in August, FIFA opened a new proceeding due to the alleged breach of the initial sanction. The FPF stated it was "notified of a new sanction imposed on Mr. Manuel Arias, president of the FPF, by the FIFA Ethics Committee for allegedly not having complied 100% with the sanction imposed on January 16, 2025, following statements made about a female player." FIFA confirmed that "President Arias has been sanctioned again for 6 months, in this case until May 21, 2026," during which period "he will not be able to participate in activities related to federated football." The FPF emphasized that it "continues not to be part of any past or present process before any FIFA judicial body" and that this sanction does not and will not affect the normal functioning of the institution. According to the FPF statutes, in the absence of President Arias, First Vice President Fernando Arce will lead the functions until the sanction is over. The case originated when Arias described Marta Cox, a player for the senior women's national team, as "out of shape" and "fat" after she denounced the lack of support for women's football in the country, which generated strong public rejection and forced the executive to apologize.