It looks like someone would need to contend to watching from the World Cup sidelines for a while. According to CBC.ca, FIFA has officially banned the Cameroon midfielder from playing for his team in the next three matches in the tournament for elbowing elbowing Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic during their otherwise very heated match on Wednesday. Croatia won over Cameroon at a 4-0 score. In addition to him not being able to play for Cameroon's final match against Brazil in Group A on Monday, it looks like Song will not be able to aid his country in the next international tournament.
This means that Cameroon would most likely end their run in this year's World Cup should Song's teammates fail to emerge victorious against tournament favorite Brazil on Monday. Moreover, Cameroon fans will also not expect Song to play for his country in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September against Ivory Coast and Congo, which would happen next year.
The statement from FIFA read, "FIFA can provide the following disciplinary update in relation to the expulsion of Alex Song of Cameroon in their match against Croatia on 18 June. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided today to suspend Song for three matches and impose a fine of CHF 20,000 for breaching art. 48 par. 1 d) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming World Cup fixture between Cameroon and Brazil on 23 June 2014, with the remaining two to be served at the next official matches of the Cameroon national team in accordance with art. 38 par. 2 lit. a) of the FDC."
Aside from the ban, the Barcelona midfielder was also imposed by the world soccer organization's disciplinary committee a fine worth 20,000 Swiss francs ($22,300).
FIFA's penalty is based on its disciplinary committee's 48 par. 1 d of its Disciplinary Code, which relates to assaulting an opponent or any other person other than a match official, Daily Mail said. The assault would mean any physical attack that involves, elbowing, punching, kicking and others.
Song has since issued a statement to express his apology for his unsportsmanship conduct during the match.
