Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo has been handed a five-match suspension for the tackle that left Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné with a broken leg at the FIFA World Cup.
Madibo was shown a straight red card for the challenge during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday. FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the ban was imposed for serious foul play and noted that the decision remains subject to appeal.
Canada’s historic first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Koné, who was stretchered off the pitch before undergoing surgery for fractures to the tibia and fibula in his left leg. The midfielder was tackled from behind in the 51st minute, and players immediately feared the injury was serious as he lay on the ground in visible pain.
Madibo appeared distraught following the incident and personally apologized to Koné after the match.
“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and has kept me in their prayers,” Koné later wrote on Instagram.
Qatar’s World Cup campaign came to an end on Wednesday following a defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
