ZURICH, Switzerland (AP-CP) - Zinedine Zidane was banned by FIFA for three games Thursday for head-butting Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final.
FIFA also suspended the Italian defender for two games for ''repeatedly provoking Zidane.''
The ban does not mean much for the 34-year-old Zidane, given he has retired from soccer. The former French captain was also fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($6,840 Cdn).
FIFA did not specify what Materazzi said to set Zidane off. Zidane previously said he attacked the Italian because he insulted his mother and sister, while Materazzi denied insulting Zidane's mother.
''In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi's comments had been defamatory but not of a racist nature,'' FIFA said in a statement. ''During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident.''
Because of Zidane's retirement, FIFA said the disciplinary 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.''
Materazzi was suspended for two international matches and fined 5,000 Swiss francs ($4,560 Cdn).
Zidane, who had already submitted written testimony, spent about 90 minutes in a private hearing Thursday morning. Materazzi appeared before the FIFA panel last week.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested Zidane, widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, could be stripped of his Golden Ball award as the World Cup's best player.
Zidane later apologized to children who watched the match, but said he didn't regret his actions because he was provoked by repeated harsh insults about his family.
Playing in extra time in his farewell game, Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words as the two walked up field. Zidane appeared to be distancing himself from the Italian, but then turned, lowered his head, and drove it into Materazzi's chest - knocking him to the ground.
Zidane was sent off, and Italy went on to win its fourth World Cup. It won the game 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw
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Because of Zidane's retirement, FIFA said the disciplinary 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.''
lol, that problably won't be a big deal to him especially since he's already done this kind of work before.
FIFA also suspended the Italian defender for two games for ''repeatedly provoking Zidane.''
The ban does not mean much for the 34-year-old Zidane, given he has retired from soccer. The former French captain was also fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($6,840 Cdn).
FIFA did not specify what Materazzi said to set Zidane off. Zidane previously said he attacked the Italian because he insulted his mother and sister, while Materazzi denied insulting Zidane's mother.
''In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi's comments had been defamatory but not of a racist nature,'' FIFA said in a statement. ''During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident.''
Because of Zidane's retirement, FIFA said the disciplinary 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.''
Materazzi was suspended for two international matches and fined 5,000 Swiss francs ($4,560 Cdn).
Zidane, who had already submitted written testimony, spent about 90 minutes in a private hearing Thursday morning. Materazzi appeared before the FIFA panel last week.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested Zidane, widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, could be stripped of his Golden Ball award as the World Cup's best player.
Zidane later apologized to children who watched the match, but said he didn't regret his actions because he was provoked by repeated harsh insults about his family.
Playing in extra time in his farewell game, Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words as the two walked up field. Zidane appeared to be distancing himself from the Italian, but then turned, lowered his head, and drove it into Materazzi's chest - knocking him to the ground.
Zidane was sent off, and Italy went on to win its fourth World Cup. It won the game 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw
TSN.CA
-----
Because of Zidane's retirement, FIFA said the disciplinary 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.''
lol, that problably won't be a big deal to him especially since he's already done this kind of work before.
