Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo will miss the remainder of the World Cup after Fifa imposed a five-match ban for the tackle that broke Canada midfielder Ismael Kone’s leg.
The decision, announced by football’s world governing body on Wednesday, comes after Madibo received a red card for a clumsy second-half challenge during Qatar’s heavy 6-0 defeat by Canada in Group B.
“Qatar's Assim Madibo banned for five matches by Fifa after breaking Canada's Ismael Kone's leg.”
Kone sustained a broken leg from the tackle and has since undergone surgery, the Qatar Football Association confirmed. In a gesture that did little to soften the blow, Madibo and Qatar’s sports minister visited Kone in hospital to check on his health.
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee ruled the tackle constituted serious foul play and handed down the five-match suspension. The ban is subject to an appeal to the Fifa Appeal Committee, meaning Madibo could yet see the punishment reduced or overturned.
For now, the midfielder’s tournament is over, and Qatar – already eliminated after two defeats – face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle knowing they cannot advance. Coach Sergej Barbarez said before the match that Bosnia plan to play a more offensive game to keep their own World Cup hopes alive.