World Cup 2006 News

Domenech says fourth official tipped off ref on Zidane

Jul 10, 2006, 12:13 GMT

Berlin - France coach Raymond Domenech said Sunday that Zinedine Zidane's dismissal in the second period of extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi came following intervention from the fourth official.

Italy clinched their fourth World Cup title 5-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time.

Domenech said referee Horacio Elizondo only decided to send off Zidane, who was playing his 108th and final match for Les Bleus before retiring from football, after talking with the fourth official.

'We had the fourth official saying it to the referee. The second official saw nothing. The fourth official tipped off the referee,' he said. 'The referee was not on our side.'

Domenech said he didn't know what Materazzi had said to Zidane but he couldn't believe that the three-time world player of the year would react without reason.

'I don't know what Materazzi told Zidane. All I know is that the man of the match is Materazzi not (Andrea) Pirlo. He scored a goal and had Zidane sent off,' said Domenech.

'I think Materazzi is involved. Something must have happened I don't thing he would react out of the blue.'

The red card to Zidane was the pivotal moment of the match, Domenech added.

'Zidane being sent off was a key element of the game because in extra time Italy was waiting for the penalty shootout,' he said adding that losing Patrick Vieira at the start of the second half also affected the result.

'We had the match under control and it was sad that we had these two elements and we were down to 10 men,' he said.

Meanwhile Domenech said he was against the idea of a reception for the squad along the Champs Elysees in Paris on Monday.

'If it is up to me there won't be a parade,' he told the French television station Canal plus. 'It is very French to be satisfied with a defeat, but I cannot be satisfied.'