World Cup 2026: Is Assim Madibo’s five-match ban after Ismael Kone leg break excessive?
Madibo’s ban certainly seems on the upper end of the scale in terms of punishment.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was given a nine-matches suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Italy defender Mauro Tassotti was suspended for eight games for an elbow on Spain forward Luis Enrique in 1994, which left the now-Paris St-Germain boss with a broken bose.
Former referee Christina Unkel said: “Respectfully, this is excessive. The outcome very unfortunate but the punishment does not fit the crime.
“This was not violent conduct and the challenge was an attempt to play [the] ball. This is too much.”
Under Fifa’s disciplinary code for violent conduct, Cristiano Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for an elbow last November, which would have led to him missing the opening matches at this year’s tournament.
It was reduced to a one-game ban, with the remaining two suspended for a year, with the other two games suspended which meant he was available for Portugal’s opening World Cup match against DR Congo.
BBC Sport understands that the fact it was Ronaldo’s first red card in 225 international appearances was taken into account.
Qatar, who have been eliminated from the World Cup and therefore Madibo’s suspension will carry on to their next set of international fixtures, are expected to appeal Fifa’s decision.
Madibo, who has been capped 64 times since his debut in 2017, had never been sent off at international level before his dismissal against Canada.
The 29-year-old has also displayed genuine remorse, not just on the field in the aftermath of the incident, but also visited Kone in hospital.
