The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued a decision to suspend Qatari national team player Assem Madibo for five matches after a dangerous intervention led to a serious injury to Canadian Ismail Koné in a World Cup match. (Photo/AP)
FIFA has cracked the whip for dangerous foul play. FIFA decided to ban Qatari midfielder Assem Madibo for five matches on Wednesday after a violent tackle led to Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone breaking his leg during the team’s World Cup group stage match.The 28-year-old Qatari received a straight red card for the reckless challenge during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place last Thursday. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee confirmed that the lengthy suspension was due to serious violations, adding that the decision was still subject to appeal.
A tragic turn of eventsWhat should have been a night of historic celebration for Canada, marking its first ever World Cup win, was overshadowed by Cooney’s horrific injury.
The Milan midfielder was attacked from behind in the 51st minute, causing his left leg to collapse under the challenge.Players from both sides immediately pointed to the medical staff in panic as Kone writhed on the grass, hiding his mouth in pain. The young midfielder was taken off on a stretcher and subsequently underwent emergency surgery to repair fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his left leg.
A visibly distraught Madibo, who immediately recognized the severity of the damage, went on to apologize to Kone in person after the final whistle. The Canadian star later took to Instagram to thank his fans, writing: “You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who has reached out to me and has me in their prayers.”Strict precedentsWhile a five-match ban is rare in the tournament’s modern history, it is not considered the harshest punishment imposed by FIFA. The absolute record remains with Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who was banned for nine matches and banned from football for four months for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil 2014. Before that, Italian defender Mauro Tassotti was banned for eight matches in 1994 for breaking Spanish striker Luis Enrique’s nose with his elbow.The Qatar Football Association has yet to issue an official comment on the ruling, while Canada faces the harsh reality of playing out the remainder of its dream World Cup campaign on home soil without the star midfielder.