Qatar's Madibo Banned for 5 Games After Breaking Leg of Canada's Kone

The Incident and Ban

Qatar player Assim Madibo has been given a five-match ban for the tackle that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Ismael Kone at the World Cup.

Madibo was issued a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.

The Injury and Surgery

Canada’s first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Kone, who was taken off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery on 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 sustained a serious injury as he lay on the ground, holding his leg and covering his mouth with his hand.

The Impact on Qatar

The suspension rules him out of Qatar’s remaining World Cup matches, including Wednesday’s encounter that saw Bosnia and Herzegovina hand the 2022 hosts a 3-1 thrashing at Seattle Stadium.

The FIFA disciplinary committee said the suspension was for serious foul play and that the decision, given on Wednesday, was subject to appeal.

The Reactions

Madibo was also visibly upset, crying on the pitch and with his hands clasped behind his head as his teammates comforted him.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch said in a news conference later on that Madibo came to Kone’s dressing room to apologise in person after the game.

“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers,” Kone later posted on Instagram.

Madibo, along with Qatar’s sports minister, visited Kone to check on his health following the injury.