ZURICH, Switzerland (Ticker) - France playmaker Zinedine Zidane has been handed a three-match ban and a fine for his World Cup final head-butt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi, who himself has been suspended for two games and fined for provoking the incident.
With Zidane having quit soccer after the World Cup final, the ban is academic, but the 34-year-old instead will spend three days working with world governing body FIFA.
Zidane was fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($6,000) while Materazzi must pay 5000 Swiss francs ($4,000) for the incident, which occurred in extra time of the World Cup final with the match poised at 1-1.
Italy, which had been under pressure before Zidane was sent off, went on to win the final 5-3 on penalties while the France midfielder later complained that Materazzi had provoked him with remarks about his family.
ZURICH, Switzerland (Ticker) - France playmaker Zinedine Zidane has been handed a three-match ban and a fine for his World Cup final head-butt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi, who himself has been suspended for two games and fined for provoking the incident.
With Zidane having quit soccer after the World Cup final, the ban is academic, but the 34-year-old instead will spend three days working with world governing body FIFA.
Zidane was fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($6,000) while Materazzi must pay 5000 Swiss francs ($4,000) for the incident, which occurred in extra time of the World Cup final with the match poised at 1-1.
Italy, which had been under pressure before Zidane was sent off, went on to win the final 5-3 on penalties while the France midfielder later complained that Materazzi had provoked him with remarks about his family.
Doesn`t make sense. Zidane is at fault here, but it seems all the attantion has been directed at Materazzi for provoking him. Great news for violent people everywhere: Your actions are justified if your provoked. Bad-mouthing your opponent is part of every sport. How you react to it is a choice you make. From what I have gathered in the news, Materazzi`s comments were not racial.
Zidane cracked and then played the victim card. Now Materazzi is public enemy number 1??
Zidane was clearly at fault.
There is no law or rule against insults on the field. But physical violence is not accepted on or off the field.....Until today.
Not my comments, but sums it up nicely, couldn't have said it better.
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Not my comments, but sums it up nicely, couldn't have said it better.Doesn`t make sense. Zidane is at fault here, but it seems all the attantion has been directed at Materazzi for provoking him. Great news for violent people everywhere: Your actions are justified if your provoked. Bad-mouthing your opponent is part of every sport. How you react to it is a choice you make. From what I have gathered in the news, Materazzi`s comments were not racial.
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