Panama FA president hit with six-month ban after calling Marta Cox ‘fat’ and 'out of shape'

FIFA’s ethics committee ruled that Arias was in breach of its code of ethics for his remarks made in March last year, when he branded star player Marta Cox "fat" and "out of shape. As well as the ban, Arias was fined almost £9,000.

Cox had criticised the facilities available for the women's national team after they were eliminated from the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. Arias fired back via the press, saying: "She’s out of shape, she’s fat, she couldn’t move on the pitch. It’s very easy to talk, but she doesn’t know anything about the Panama league for years, she doesn’t know what’s going on here."

Arias apologised for his remarks soon after making them, but FIFA opted to sanction him. The governing body branded Arias' remarks “derogatory” and sanctioned him due to breaches of its ethics code.

Cox threatened to stop playing for the national team in response to the comments, but she has since returned. The striker had scored her national team's first-ever goal in a World Cup group stage and now has 42 caps to her name.

Arias has accepted FIFA's punishment and referred to his criticism as simply “very unfortunate language” and “a very serious mistake.” He is banned until July 14.