WASHINGTON : FIFA’s disciplinary committee on Wednesday handed Qatar’s Assim Madibo a five-match suspension for the tackle that resulted in a serious leg injury to Canada’s Ismaël Koné during the FIFA World Cup.

Madibo was shown a straight red card after lunging in from behind on Koné in the 51st minute of Canada’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar last Thursday. The disciplinary committee ruled that the suspension was for serious foul play, adding that the decision remains subject to appeal.

The incident overshadowed Canada’s historic first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, with Koné suffering fractures to the tibia and fibula in his left leg. The midfielder was stretchered off the field before undergoing successful surgery.

Players from both teams immediately realized the severity of the injury, while Madibo was visibly emotional after the challenge. Following the match, the Qatar international personally apologized to Koné.

In a message shared on Instagram after surgery, Koné thanked supporters for their overwhelming encouragement.

“You can’t even imagine how grateful I am to everyone who reached out and that has me in their prayers,” he wrote.

The Qatar Football Association did not immediately comment on FIFA’s decision.

Although significant, Madibo’s punishment falls short of some of FIFA’s most severe World Cup disciplinary sanctions. Uruguay striker Luis Suárez received a nine-match international ban and a four-month suspension from all football-related activities for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, while Italy defender Mauro Tassotti was banned for eight matches after elbowing Spain’s Luis Enrique at the 1994 tournament.

Qatar’s World Cup campaign also came to an end on Wednesday following its defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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