Assim Madibo, the Qatar midfielder, has been handed a five-match ban for his challenge on Ismaël Koné, which resulted in a broken leg for the Canada player.Madibo was shown a red card for a tackle from behind on Koné during Qatar’s 6-0 defeat to the co-hosts on Thursday last week.FIFA’s disciplinary committee has imposed a five-match suspension on Madibo for serious foul play, which is subject to appeal.The red card automatically triggered a one-game ban, which was served in Qatar’s meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.The suspension will apply to any remaining Qatar matches at this World Cup, with the ban rolling over beyond the tournament if necessary — Qatar would have to reach the final for Madibo’s slate to be clean outside of the tournament.Koné supported Canada in Wednesday’s match against Switzerland in Vancouver. (Ercin Erturk / Anadolu via Getty Images)With Koné in visible distress after the incident, several Canada players reacted angrily to the challenge, with defender Richie Laryea confronting Madibo.
The Qatari player also appeared upset by the severity of Koné’s injury and visited the Sassuolo midfielder in hospital before Qatar left Seattle.Koné, 24, has since undergone successful surgery to repair the fracture in his left leg. He will miss the remainder of the tournament but is expected to make a full recovery.Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said after the game that he could “hear Koné’s bone snap.”Madibo came to the locker room to apologize to Koné before he left for the hospital, according to Marsch. “I don’t think he meant such a gruesome situation,” the coach added. “I don’t fault him for that.”Kone was wheeled onto the pitch in a wheelchair ahead of Canada’s final group game against Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver on Wednesday, and given a standing ovation.Qatar are battling to remain in the tournament in their own final group match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a potential winner hoping to secure a place in the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams.
