FIFA World Cup. Qatar’s Assim Madibo banned for five matches for leg-break tackle Football News:
FIFA cracks the whip on serious foul play. Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was handed a heavy five-match suspension on Wednesday by football’s world governing body after a horrific tackle that broke Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone’s leg during their World Cup group fixture.The 28-year-old Qatari player was shown a straight red card for a careless challenge during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place on Thursday. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed that the long ban was for serious foul play, adding that the decision was subject to appeal.A terrible turn of eventsWhat should have been a night of historic celebration for Canada, marking their first World Cup game victory was completely overshadowed by Koné’s serious injury. The AC Milan midfielder was tackled from behind in the 51st minute, his left leg collapsing under the challenge.Players from both sides immediately signaled to the medical staff in panic as Koné lay writhing on the turf, covering his mouth in pain. The young midfielder was rushed on a stretcher and later underwent emergency surgery to repair tibia and fibula fractures in his left leg.A visibly worried Madibo, who realized the severity of the injury immediately, went to personally apologize to Koné after the final whistle. The Canadian star later took to Instagram to thank fans, writing: “You can’t imagine how grateful I am to everyone who came and that I have them in their prayers.”Strict standardsWhile a five-match ban is rare in the modern history of the tournament, it is not the heaviest punishment imposed by FIFA. The perfect record remains Uruguay striker Luis Suárez, who was slapped with a whopping nine-match ban and a four-month football ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at Brazil 2014. Before that, Italian defender Mauro Tassotti received an eight-match suspension in 1994 for tripping Spain forward Luisse Enrique.The Qatari Football Association has yet to issue an official comment on the decision, as Canada faces the stark reality of navigating the remainder of their dream home World Cup campaign without their star midfield engine.
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