Zidane and Materazzi punished

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 football after the World Cup final the ban is academic but the 34-year-old will instead spend three days working with world governing body FIFA.

Zidane was fined 7500 Swiss francs (€4,775) while Materazzi must pay 5000 Swiss francs (€3,182) for the incident which occurred in extra-time of the World Cup final with the match poised at 1-1.

Italy, who 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.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told journalists: "Zinedine Zidane will be suspended for three matches and fined 7500 Swiss francs.

“However, the committee has taken note that he has declared his career is over and taken note of Zidane’s pledge to do three days community service within FIFA’s humanitarian activities.

“Marco Materazzi will be suspended for two official matches of the Italian national team and fined the sum of 5000 Swiss francs for repeatedly provoking Zidane.

“In both of the players statements, the two players expressed regret over the incidents and presented their excuses to FIFA and the football community over what had happened.

“They both stressed in statements that the verbal provocation was of an insulting nature but not – and I stress – of any racist nature.”