FIFA Bans Qatar's Madibo 5 Matches for Tackle That Broke Kone's Leg

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 24

Five matches will sideline Assim Madibo for the rest of Qatar’s World Cup after FIFA’s disciplinary committee punished the midfielder for serious foul play against Canada’s Ismael Kone.
The sanction followed Madibo’s straight red card in the 51st minute of Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver, where his tackle from behind left Kone with broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.
Kone underwent surgery after being stretchered off, though he later waved to supporters and posted thanks for the support; he was back cheering Canada from the sidelines in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Switzerland.
Madibo’s reaction underscored the incident’s fallout: he cried on the pitch, later apologized in Kone’s dressing room, and then visited him alongside Qatar’s sports minister in a gesture the Qatari federation called sportsmanship.
The ban, which FIFA said can be appealed, is notable but shorter than past World Cup punishments such as Luis Suarez’s 9-match suspension in 2014 and Mauro Tassotti’s 8-game ban in 1994.