He suffered a stress fracture to the pubic bone which kept him out for more than three months from November 2007 until he returned to first-team action for Middlesbrough's 2–0 FA Cup victory over Mansfield Town on 26 January 2008.[111][112] He was sent off in the 80th minute in a match against Arsenal on 15 March 2008 after kicking Gaël Clichy in the face with his boot,[113] which resulted in him receiving a three-match ban.[114] Mido was ruled out for the remainder of the 2007–08 season in April following a hernia operation on a pelvic injury.[115] He made the bench for Middlesbrough's opening Premier League fixture against former club Tottenham and came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute and scored four minutes later after deflecting Didier Digard's shot.[116] The following weekend saw him score against Liverpool at Anfield to put Middlesbrough 1–0 in the lead, but they eventually lost the game 2–1.[117] This was followed up with goals against Yeovil Town in the League Cup and Portsmouth in the league.[118][119] Mido was again targeted by some Newcastle fans while warming up before Middlesbrough's 0–0 draw, with claims of racist chanting being investigated by The FA.[120] He revealed his anger at The FA's investigation, believing that they would make no difference to any future abuse.[121] Two men were eventually arrested over the chanting and were due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court.[122]