Qatar’s Assim Madibo Receives Five-Match Ban After World Cup Incident

Atlanta (AP) — On Wednesday, FIFA issued a five-match suspension to Qatar player Assim Madibo. The ban comes after his tackle resulted in a broken leg for Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné during the World Cup.

The incident occurred in the 51st minute of Canada’s 6-0 triumph over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday when Madibo received a straight red card.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee deemed this as serious foul play, with the decision subject to appeal. Despite Canada’s first World Cup win, the event was marred by Koné’s injury. He was stretchered off the field and later underwent surgery for a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.

Players feared the worst as Koné lay on the ground, clutching his leg. Madibo, visibly upset by the tackle, apologized in person to Koné post-match. Koné expressed gratitude towards those who reached out to him, posting on Instagram, “Thank you to everyone who has me in their prayers.”

The Qatar national team has yet to comment, according to The Associated Press. While significant, this ban isn’t the most severe seen at a World Cup. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez received a nine-match ban, along with a four-month prohibition from soccer activities, for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup. Italy’s Mauro Tassotti faced an eight-game suspension in 1994 after elbowing Spain’s Luis Enrique.