FIFA Hands Qatar’s Madibo Five-Match Ban After Kone Leg-Break Incident
Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo has been handed a five-match suspension by FIFA following the challenge that left Canada midfielder Ismael Kone with a broken leg during their FIFA World Cup group-stage encounter.
Madibo was sent off in Qatar’s 6-0 defeat to Canada last Thursday after a reckless tackle resulted in a serious injury to Kone.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee subsequently reviewed the incident and imposed a five-game ban for serious foul play, although the decision remains subject to appeal.
The suspension came just a few hours to Qatar’s 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
This result confirmed their elimination from the tournament following a disappointing campaign, where the team lost three group matches.
Meanwhile, Kone has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after suffering fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his lower left leg.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who plays for Italian club Sassuolo, underwent successful surgery shortly after the incident in Vancouver.
Despite the unfortunate challenge, Madibo showed sportsmanship by visiting Kone in hospital following the operation.
Meanwhile Canada have progressed into the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup despite their 2-1 loss to Switzerland in their final group-stage match as they finished second in group ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The disciplinary ruling adds another setback to Qatar’s campaign, while Canada will now have to continue their World Cup journey without one of their influential midfielders.
