Canadian midfielder, Ismael Kone, has been taken to hospital and is set to undergo surgery after suffering a serious leg injury during Canada's 6-0 FIFA World Cup victory over Qatar, following a brutal tackle that resulted in a red card for Qatar's Assim Madibo.
The incident occurred early in the second half at Vancouver, when Madibo came in from behind on Kone in a challenge that immediately drew fierce reactions from Canadian players, coaching staff, and supporters inside the stadium.
Canada manager, Jesse Marsch, and his staff were visibly incensed on the touchline, and could be heard on the broadcast questioning the referee's initial decision to award only a foul.
The call was subsequently upgraded to a red card. It was Qatar's second dismissal of the match, following Homam Ahmed's red card in the 31st minute.
Medical staff fitted Kone with an air cast on his left leg before he was stretchered off the pitch. He waved to the crowd as fans chanted his name.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Marsch said he heard the moment of impact.
"I could hear the bone snap," the coach said, confirming that Kone had been taken to hospital and would require surgery.
Madibo acknowledged the severity of the incident on the pitch, placing his hands over his head and waving them in the air in an apparent gesture of apology.
Marsch later told reporters that Madibo had also personally apologised to Kone after the match.
The Canada manager paid tribute to Kone, describing the loss of the midfielder as a significant blow to the team's World Cup campaign.
"Ismael is such a great kid, he's imperfect but that is why we love him. He can do things that no other player can do. He embodies a lot of what this team is. He was our best player against Bosnia. He is a huge loss for us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a huge future," Marsch said.
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