March 11 – Marta Cox, the Panamanian striker fat-shamed by her federation president Manuel Arias, said that she will refuse to play for Panama if she hears further comments similar to his again.
Arias, angry that Cox expressed her opinion on the development of the game in Panama, turned the debate personal, saying: “Marta Cox stopped to talk about our league. She’s out of shape, she’s fat, she couldn’t move on the pitch.”
Responding via her agency, The Marketing Jersey, she posted a statement on X saying: “We are the first to recognise that we were not up to par in the tournament, but that same introspection must go beyond just the players. Personally, I believe that there were words used to describe me that certainly hurt me and that were unexpected.
“I take advantage of this space to highlight that, if these types of situations become a constant, I will not return to defend the colors of the Panama national team. My intention was to express myself objectively and sincerely about the realities that exist in the Panamanian football system, because although there have been levels of progress, there are issues that need to be improved.”
Cox hit the headlines at the 2023 World Cup after she scored one of the goals of the tournament against France with a long range free kick. She plays her club football in Mexico at Xolos de Tijuana.
At the W Gold Cup Panama disappointed, exiting at the group stage after defeats to Brazil, Colombia and Puerto Rico.
Cox’s concern was that there weren’t enough adequate facilities in Panama to develop elite players who can compete on the international stage. Arais took offence and made his comments that were subsequently condemned by the Panamanian players’ union.
For her part Cox said she wasn’t looking for Arias’ resignation, but called on “authorities that have responsibility for our football to help us continue growing so that new generations find a better future.”
It is a magnanimous position…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/03/11/cox-will-not-play-panama-abusive-comments-persist-doesnt-call-arais-resignation/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-03-11 07:37:23
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