BEIJING, July 17 -- Marco Materazzi appeared before
FIFA's disciplinary committee Friday to answer questions about what he did to
provoke Zinedine Zidane to head-butt him during Italy's World Cup final victory
over France.
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| Zinedine Zidane is shown
the red card by referee Horacio Elizondo after head butting Materazzi.
(Xinhua Photo) |
The Italian defender met with officials at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich on
Friday morning, FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said.
Maingot refused to provide any details of the meeting, which came one day
after world soccer's governing body said it would open disciplinary proceedings
against Materazzi.
Materazzi is being investigated based on statements by Zidane, who said on
French television Wednesday that Materazzi insulted his mother and sister.
Materazzi has admitted insulting Zidane, but denied verbally attacking
Zidane's mother.
Materazzi's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, said any punishment toward Materazzi
could create a difficult precedent. "If they want to attack a player for what he
keeps saying on the pitch, they will be very busy in the future because it's
quite normal that players shout to each other in a game -- especially when it's
such a stressful game," he said.
Zidane is scheduled to attend a FIFA hearing Thursday. A decision is
expected later that day.
"Marco was optimistic after the meeting," Vigorelli told reporters.
"Everything went fine. He gave his version of what happened. He will not have to
return to Zurich at a later stage."
Materazzi brought the meeting forward from Thursday due to his impending
vacation.
(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)
