NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Qatar player Assim Madibo was banned for five games on Wednesday for the tackle that broke the leg of Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone at the World Cup.
Madibo received a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee said the suspension was for serious foul play and that the decision could be appealed.
Canada’s first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Koné, who was taken off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery for a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.
He was tackled from behind in the 51st minute and players around him immediately feared he had suffered a serious injury as he lay on the ground, holding his leg and covering his mouth with his hand.
Madibo was also visibly upset and personally apologized to Koné after the match.
“You have no idea how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and have me in their prayers,” Koné later wrote on Instagram.
Qatar’s national team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
The ban is not the largest issued by FIFA at a World Cup. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was banned for nine matches and banned from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
In 1994, Italian defender Mauro Tassotti was suspended for eight games for elbowing Spanish striker Luis Enrique.
Report from the Associated Press.
