Zidane, Materazzi await verdicts

Thursday is judgment day for Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi as FIFA disciplinary chiefs are set to decide on any punishments for the incident in the World Cup final that led to Zidane's sending off.

Zidane earned a red card in extra time when the France playmaker, in his last professional match, head-butted Materazzi in the chest after some verbal provocation from the Italy defender.

The incident happened when France appeared to be getting on top and Zidane's sending off also deprived Les Bleus of their first-choice penalty taker in the shootout sequence that was won 5-3 by the Azzurri.

Materazzi admits insulting the 34-year-old but denies the abuse was of a racist or religious nature, and denies Zidane's claims that he made disparaging remarks about the Frenchman's family.

Zidane, 34, will fly here to defend himself with the support of French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and a lawyer.

Since he has retired, any ban he gets for the head-butt will be academic while the maximum fine of 3,300 euros ($4,132) would not significantly dent his bank balance.

For Materazzi, a lot will depend on the nature of the insults. If the committee accepts his version of events then he could escape any penalty or suffer a minor punishment.

If, however, he is deemed guilty of racist abuse, he could land a five-match ban and a fine of up to 6,600 euros ($8,264).

Materazzi already has given evidence to the committee while Zidane will testify on Thursday.

FIFA will announce any verdicts in a press release after the evidence has been considered.