Soccer's world governing body has slapped retiring French midfielder Zinedine Zidane with a three-match ban for head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final.
FIFA's disciplinary committee made the ruling Thursday and also banned Materazzi for two matches for his part in the incident, which occurred in extra time of Italy's 5-3 penalty shootout victory over France on July 9 in Berlin.
Zidane's three-match ban is purely symbolic as the Frenchman retired from soccer after the World Cup final. In light of his retirement, the midfielder will perform community service on FIFA's behalf instead.
French star Zinedine Zidane (left) looks on after head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final.
(STF/AFP/Getty Images)
"As Zidane has now retired from international [soccer], the committee took note of Zidane's pledge to do three days of community service work with children and youngsters as part of FIFA's humanitarian activities," FIFA said in a released statement.
Materazzi, who was banned for "repeatedly provoking Zidane," will miss Italy's first two qualifying games for Euro 2008. Italy plays Lithuania in Naples on Sept. 2 before travelling to Paris to take on France four days later.
Italian soccer federation commissioner Guido Rossi was surprised by FIFA's decision to suspend Materazzi two games.
"We respect the definitive verdict by FIFA's disciplinary commission," Rossi said in a statement. "But the episode was captured on television and (any opinion) is up to the judgment of people throughout the world."
The Italian federation hasn't said whether it will appeal the decision.
Zidane and Materazzi were also fined 7,500 and 5,000 Swiss francs (about $6,800 Cdn and $4,550 Cdn), respectively.
Italian player admits to Zidane insult
FIFA launched its investigation into both players after Zidane rammed his head into Materazzi's chest in the final. Zidane said Materazzi used racist remarks and that he insulted his mother and sister, but he refused to reveal the exact words used.
Materazzi admitted to insulting Zidane, but claimed he never uttered anything defamatory about his mother.
"In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi's comments had been defamatory but not of a racist nature," FIFA said Thursday.
"During the course of their hearings, both players also apologized to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident."
Zidane testified before the disciplinary committee on Thursday. Materazzi appeared before the FIFA panel last week.
The head-butting attack occurred when Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra time of the final.
Seconds later, Zidane turned to face Materazzi, lowered his head and rammed the Italian in the chest, knocking him to the ground. The French midfielder received a red card and was ejected from the game.
The incident has captivated fans around the world. Some major media outlets even hired lip readers to decipher what Materazzi may have said to anger Zidane.
Despite being ejected from the final, journalists picked Zidane as the recipient of the Golden Ball, given to the tournament's top player.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter made public overtones that Zidane could be stripped of his MVP award. The disciplinary panel did not address that possibility, FIFA said.
