The Ethics Committee of the FIFA suspended the president of the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) for six months, Manuel Ariasdue to the use of inappropriate language towards a player from the Panama women’s team, the body that governs soccer in the Central American country reported on Thursday. The penalty will not affect the activities of the Panamanian Federation, since the decision only binds the executive.
“President Arias was sanctioned for six months until July 14, 2025, a period in which he will not be able to participate in activities related to federated football. In the absence of President Arias, First Vice President Fernando Arce will remain leading functions,” reported the FPF. “This sanction imposed on the president does not and will not affect the normal functioning of the institution. We will continue working for women’s football as we have been doing in recent years, recognizing that we still have work to do,” the organization clarified.
In March 2024, following the elimination of the Panama women’s team from the Gold Cup, Arias criticized the physical condition of the players, especially Marta Cox, saying that she was “fat and out of shape”. “I am aware of the serious mistake committed, that one must accept the consequences of one’s actions and that I also accept the sanction received. I will continue to reflect on what happened and, during these six months away from my duties as president of the FPF, I will become the number one fan of our Panamanian soccer,” Arias publishes in a statement.
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“It is time, for me, to take a step aside during these six months where I will take advantage so that, when it is my turn to return to my duties as president, I do so at 100%,” he added.
