Women's football: Called "fat" by the association president

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Panama's Marta Cox

Photo: Carl Recine / REUTERS

After Panama's footballers were eliminated from the Gold Cup without a point, association president Manuel Arias caused a scandal.

The head of the national association FEPAFUT called 26-year-old midfielder Marta Cox "fat" to local media after she criticized the country's sporting infrastructure.

This led to Cox's resignation.

"She's out of shape, she's fat, she couldn't move on the pitch," Arias complained about the player who made national football history just a year ago: Cox scored on Klubene in the World Cup group game against France Under contract for Xolos Feminil in Tijuana, Mexico, he scored Panama's first goal at a World Cup with a free kick from 35 meters.

"It's very easy to talk, but she hasn't known what's going on in Panama's league for years," Arias continued.

Cox has now decided that she no longer wants to represent her country - unless there are changes in the management style: "If this situation becomes a constant, I will not return to defend the colors of my national team," explained Cox in a statement.

Cox demands self-criticism from everyone, the association apologizes

Cox said she expected more after the World Cup experience.

Panama suffered heavy defeats against Brazil and Colombia, among others.

»We are the first to acknowledge that we did not live up to the standard of the tournament.

But this self-awareness has to go beyond the players.”

That didn't happen - on the contrary: "The words that were used to describe me were unexpected and hurtful," says Cox.

FEFAPUT then published a public letter of apology.

"On International Women's Day, we regret the unfortunate expression used by our President Manuel Arias in the local media," it said.

The incident will not be repeated.

cev/Reuters