Materazzi given two-game ban
20 Jul 2006 - 14:41:44
Italy defender Marco Materazzi has been banned for two games for his part in the sending-off of France legend Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final in Berlin.
Materazzi was suspended after a FIFA Disciplinary Committee meeting on Thursday, having admitted that he aimed verbal abuse at Zidane before he was head-butted in the chest.
Zidane would have been banned for three games, but has retired from the game and will undertake three days of community service instead.
A statement from FIFA read: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a three-match ban and a fine of 7,500 Swiss francs on Zinedine Zidane on account of his head-butt to Materazzi's chest.
"As Zidane has now retired from international football, 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.
"Materazzi was suspended for two official matches of the Italian national team and fined the sum of 5,000 Swiss francs for repeatedly provoking Zidane.
"In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi's comments had been defamatory but not of a racist nature.
"During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident."