Jul 11, 2006, 13:31 GMT
Hamburg - The red card for Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final was not the result of video evidence but by direct observation of the fourth official, the ruling body FIFA reiterated on Tuesday.
'The incident was directly observed (i.e., without the use of a monitor) by fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo (ESP) from his position at the pitchside, who informed the referee and his assistants through the communications system,' FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA also said it will open a disciplinary investigation into Zidane's conduct to enable it to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident as exactly as possible.
Zidane has remained quiet over the incident while Materazzi admitted to have insulted the now retired French star, after being provoked by Zidane.
Zidane was sent off when he head-butted Materazzi in the chest during the final in Berlin which Italy went on to win on penalties.
The late showing of the red card over the incident prompted speculation from French coach Raymond Domenech, among others, that Cantalejo witnessed the incident via a TV monitor and then informed referee Horacio Elizondo.
FIFA said immediately after the match that video evidence, which it outlaws except for post-match disciplinary action, was not used.
Cantalejo also said in a Spanish radio interview that he saw what Zidane did and also explained the delay.
'I saw it happen live, I didn't invent anything. This incident shows how important the fourth official is. My job is to help the referee and that is exactly what I did.'
'I don't know what Materazzi said to Zidane but there were protests about the action and Gianluigi Buffon went to talk to the linesman. When everything calmed down I told Elizondo what had happened,' he said.
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