Qatar player Assim Madibo has been given a five-match ban for the tackle that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné at the FIFA World Cup.
Madibo was issued a straight red card for the incident during Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.
The FIFA disciplinary committee said the suspension was for serious foul play and that the decision was subject to appeal.
Canada’s first World Cup victory was overshadowed by the injury to Koné, who was taken off on a stretcher and later underwent surgery on a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.
He was tackled from behind in the 51st minute, and players around him immediately feared he had sustained a serious injury as he lay on the ground, holding his leg in pain.
Madibo was also visibly upset and apologized in person to Koné after the game.
“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers,” Koné later posted on Instagram.
Qatar was eliminated from the World Cup on Wednesday in a loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
