TAS 2025 A 11153 Manuel Ernesto Arias Corco c. FIFA ES
CAS · Football (FIFA / CAS) · Switzerland · 24 Mar 2025
Why it matters
This case clarifies the limits of free speech for football officials under FIFA ethics rules. It confirms that a federation president's public derogatory comments about players' physical condition can breach the duty of loyalty and respect, even if the official later apologizes. The CAS panel upheld a significant reduction from the minimum two-year ban, showing deference to the ethics body's discretion. The ruling reinforces that officials must maintain respectful discourse, especially when criticizing players in the media.
Summary
Manuel Ernesto Arias Corco, president of the Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), gave a two-hour YouTube interview on 2 March 2024 responding to player Marta Cox's criticism of the women's league. In the interview, Arias made repeated derogatory remarks about the physical condition of Cox and other players, calling them 'fat' and 'out of shape,' and stating that players who did not want to return to the national team should not come back. The FIFA Ethics Committee investigated and found Arias violated Article 24.2 (general duty of loyalty) and Article 14 (dignity and integrity) of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE). On 15 November 2024, it imposed a six-month ban from all football-related activities and a CHF 10,000 fine, applying significant reductions from the two-year minimum due to mitigating factors (apology, no prior record). Arias appealed to the CAS, arguing his comments were protected free speech and that the sanction was disproportionate. The CAS panel held that the interview clearly violated Article 24.2 FCE, as Arias's statements were not legitimate criticism but personal attacks undermining the players' dignity. The panel found it unnecessary to separately assess Article 14, as the violation of Article 24.2 was sufficient. On sanction, the panel noted the Ethics Committee had already granted substantial reductions and found no grounds for further reduction or suspension. The appeal was dismissed, and the decision confirmed. The award is final and binding.
The detail
Parties: TAS 2025 A 11153 Manuel Ernesto Arias Corco c. FIFA ES
Outcome: Appeal dismissed; FIFA Ethics Committee decision confirmed: 6-month ban from football-related activities and CHF 10,000 fine.
Quantum: CHF 10,000
Applicable law: FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE), CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration
Issues in play: Freedom of expression vs. duty of loyalty and respect under FIFA ethics rules; whether public criticism of players by a federation president violated Article 24.2 FCE (general duty of loyalty) and Article 14 FCE (dignity and integrity).
Read the full decision at Court of Arbitration for Sport (football, via FIFA) ↗
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