As a result, FIFA extended the suspension to five games, marking it as one of the harshest penalties FIFA has imposed on a player. A FIFA statement confirmed that the suspension was issued for a “breach of article 14.1.e (serious offenses) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code”.
This is one of the most significant retroactive sanctions FIFA has issued for on-pitch conduct. This is comparable to the nine-game suspension and four-month ban from football-related activity given to Luis Suarez for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup.
After Madibo’s punishment, Lineker turned to social media to express his surprise at the decision. He said on his Instagram Story: “This is complete nonsense. It was clearly an accidental challenge and he shouldn’t have even been given a red card. He was also heartbroken by the injury to his opponent. Stupid decision.”
Cone appeared in front of enthusiastic Canadian fans in Vancouver before the final Group B game against Switzerland and was given a hero’s welcome.
Before his public appearance, the Canadian Soccer team’s social media accounts confirmed that surgery on Cone’s fractured foot had been successful. “Last night, Ismael Cohn underwent successful surgery to repair a fracture in his lower leg. He is expected to make a full recovery, but will miss the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” they wrote.
His club Sassulo also shared an update, writing: “The surgery to repair the fracture in his left foot was completely successful. The player will begin a rehabilitation program in the coming days. The entire club wishes Ismael a speedy recovery.”
Kone plans to watch Canada play South Africa in the first round of the World Cup finals from home.
