FIFA has suspended the president of the Panamanian Football Federation for making a fat, embarrassing comment about the star of the women’s national team.

Manuel Arias has called midfielder Marta Cox “fat” after making critical comments about the national team’s schedule, which has qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

“President Arias has been banned for six months, until July 14, 2025, during which he will not be able to participate in activities related to federal soccer,” the Panamanian soccer federation announced late Thursday.

The ban removes Arias from a series of men’s national team games in the CONCACAF region: a Nations League game in March, two 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June and the Gold Cup tournament in the United States, scheduled for June 14-July 6. Panama reached the final of the 2023 Men’s Gold Cup, losing to Mexico.

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

“I used very unfortunate language that should never be used,” Arias said on Xu, formerly known as Twitter.

The federation said vice-president Fernando Arce would act as interim leader until the ban expires, and admitted there was still work to be done in women’s football.

Cox recently signed for Turkish club Fenerbahce after playing in Mexico for Xolos. The 27-year-old scored at the Women’s World Cup in a 6-3 group stage defeat of France.