Zidane and Materazzi both fined, banned

[afirth]

soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374168&cc=5901

Even though he's retired, Zidane was formally banned for three games, and will be doing community service. Materazzi was suspended for two matches for provoking Zidane, and will miss Italy's opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Zidane is being fined $6000, Materazzi $4000.

The issue of Zidane being stripped of the Golden Ball award was apparently not discussed at the hearing.

Also, it's interesting that Materazzi was punished as severely as he was by FIFA, when both players admitted that Materazzi's insults were not racist in manner.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the September 6 France-Italy rematch...it's probably going to be ugly.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

That group looks to be the group of death of Euro 2008 with both of the teams from the WC final as well as a decent Ukranian team which made the quaters. The czechs also have a difficult group with Ireland and Germany. Most groups only have one or at most two good teams but these two groups have three. www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/Standings/index.html
yeah tangents.

[FLHoya]

GREAT group that is, although given that the France-Italy rematch is the 2nd matchday, Materazzi won't be playing. Which is too bad, cause that's the leg in France.

Me personally, I'm waiting for June 2, 2007--when the defending WC Champs travel to Mystery, Alaska the Faroe Islands.

[Cambridge]

I'm chuckling at the ridiculous draw the English got.

[RusskyHoya]

cambridgehoya said:

I'm chuckling at the ridiculous draw the English got.

Don't underestimate the Russians. They now have The Guus!