Qatar's Assim Madibo got hit with five-match suspension after a tackle left Canada's Ismael Kone with broken leg during a World Cup match. It happened in 51st minute of game, which Canada won 6-0 last Thursday in Vancouver . Madibo was shown straight red card for foul, which FIFA's disciplinary committee called serious play.
Suspension takes Madibo out of Qatar's remaining tournament games,including recent 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina at Seattle Stadium. Decision,announced Wednesday,is open to appeal.
Kone's injury took spotlight away from Canada's historic first World Cup win. Carried off on a stretcher,he later had surgery for fractures to tibia and fibula in left leg. Players,fans showed concern as Kone lay in pain,hand over mouth.
Even with severe injury,Kone managed to wave to crowd,getting a supportive roar. Nathan Saliba,his substitute,celebrated fourth goal by holding up Kone's jersey,pointing to number eight .
Madibo,shaken by incident,was seen crying on pitch,teammates comforting him. After match,he visited Kone's dressing room to apologize face-to-face. Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch mentioned this move in press conference.
“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers,” Kone later shared on Instagram.
In sportsmanship gesture,Madibo and Qatar’s sports minister checked on Kone’s recovery. Qatar Football Association said they were welcomed by President of Canadian Soccer Association. Photos showed wheelchair-bound Kone embracing Madibo,both in national jerseys. Association wished Kone quick recovery,return to field.
On Wednesday,Kone was cheering Canada from sidelines as they took on Switzerland,losing 2-1 at BC Place in Vancouver. Madibo's suspension,though serious, isn't FIFA's harshest at World Cup. Uruguay's Luis Suarez got nine-match ban,four-month suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in 2014 . In 1994,Italy's Mauro Tassotti faced eight-match suspension for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique…
