World Cup star handed five-match ban and shows true colours after FIFA decision | Football | Sport
Qatar’s Assim Madibo has been handed a five-match ban following the tackle that left Canada’s Ismael Kone with a broken leg at the World Cup. Madibo was shown a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s emphatic 6-0 triumph over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday. FIFA’s disciplinary committee confirmed the length of the suspension is because Madibo was guilty of serious foul play. Qatar and the player can appeal the decision.
What should have been a landmark victory for Canada was tragically overshadowed by Koné’s injury, with the midfielder stretchered off the pitch before later undergoing surgery to repair broken tibia and fibula bones in his left leg. The challenge came from behind in the 51st minute, with players in the immediate vicinity fearing the worst as Kone lay stricken on the turf, clutching his leg and covering his mouth with his hand.
Madibo was visibly distressed by the incident and personally apologised to Kone following the final whistle. And the remorseful midfielder remained in Vancouver, while his Qatar team-mates headed to Seattle to face Bosnia and Herzegovina, to spend time with Kone.
“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers,” Kone subsequently wrote on Instagram.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch was emotional post-match and admitted: “It happened right in front of the bench, we could all hear it. I knew right away, it was similar to when Tajon (Buchanan) got hurt in training, it was right in front of us and everyone could hear the bone snap.
“Your heart goes out to him and everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience, because of the nature of the injury and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us, he’s been an amazing player in these last two games.
“But look, you also saw that he was waving to the crowd and almost making everybody else feel at ease with the fact that he’s injured. It’s an incredible statement about Ismael as a person.”
Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui said this week: “He (Madibo) was very, very affected by this injury. Never was it his intention.” The Qatar national team had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.
It is worth noting that while the ban ranks among the harshest ever handed out by FIFA at a World Cup, it is not the longest suspension in history.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez received a nine-match ban and a four-month suspension from all football-related activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while Italy’s Mauro Tassotti was suspended for eight matches in 1994 for elbowing Spain forward Luis Enrique.
