Friday, July 21 2006 15:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Zurich: French superstar Zinedine Zidane was handed a three-match ban and fined 7,500 Swiss francs (4,700 euros) on Thursday for his infamous headbutt on Italy's Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final, FIFA said on Thursday.

Materazzi was also handed a two-match suspension and fined 5,000 Swiss francs (3,100 euros). Zinedine, the French captain, who retired from international and club football after the World Cup, was also ordered to do voluntary work with youngsters.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said in a statement, "As Zidane has retired, the commission has noted Zidane will also make himself available to FIFA for humanitarian activities with children and adolescents."

The iconic French midfielder was sent off near the end of extra-time in the World Cup final, which Italy eventually won on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in Berlin on July 9.

Zidane has since explained the incident by saying Materazzi insulted his mother and sister while the Italian has denied he made racist comments, which was officially backed up by FIFA in a statement on Thursday.

French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who accompanied Zidane to the hearing, said the two players' testimony differed mainly over the degree of the insult.

"It involved insults, as we've read in the press, regarding the mother and the sister of Zinedine Zidane," Escalettes told reporters.

"On this point, they were not at all in agreement, the Italian player declaring that it involved only the sister and Zinedine was adamant in saying that there were insults towards his mother.," he said.

Zidane had listened intently while a FIFA official read out Materazzi's deposition and agreed with most of his declaration, Escalettes said.

"The Italian apologised and admitted making the insults in a deliberate fashion," he added.

Gazzetta dello Sport previously quoted Materazzi saying the insults were not racist, religious, or political and denying that he had said anything about Zidane's mother.



Italian Football Federation commissioner Guido Rossi said the Italians would respect the FIFA verdict while intimating that Zidane was the chief offender.



"The episode is still serious because of the televised images and was brought to the attention of public opinion around the world," he said.

The punishment of Materazzi, who was heard by FIFA on July 14, will have more effect than Zidane's as it means he will miss a World Cup final rematch against France in a Euro 2008 qualifier on September 6 in Paris.

While Italians celebrated their fourth World Cup crown, France and the rest of the world wondered what had made the 34-year-old footballing genius snap.

However, the disciplinary commission did not take away his title of best player in the World Cup.

"This question was not raised by the commission," added Herren, who said Zidane won the award following a vote by journalists, honouring his exceptional performances during the tournament.

FIFA also refuted suggestions that the fourth official, Spain's Luis Medina Cantalejo, had used video evidence in bringing the incident to the attention of Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo. Both men were heard by FIFA on Thursday.

FIFA said, "The facts were relayed into the earpiece of the referee and the assistants by the fourth official who saw the incident from his position on the edge of the pitch."