Zidane head-butted Materazzi in the chest after being insulted and was sent off shortly before the end of the game. Italy went on to win the final after a penalty shootout.

Both players were fined and given match bans by soccer's world governing body on Thursday, in a ruling that has incensed many in Italy.

Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri said the fact that FIFA president Sepp Blatter [ Images ] had not taken part in the final award ceremony, was also a sign of anti-Italian feelings within world soccer's governing body.

"I understand those who saw the award ceremony and yesterday's verdict and think that there is a discriminatory attitude torwards Italy," Melandri told a news conference, adding however that the Rome government accepted FIFA's decision.

Zidane, who has retired as a player, was fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($ 6,014) and handed a three-match ban by FIFA's disciplinary committee. As he is no longer a player, he will undertake three days of community services on FIFA's behalf as part of their humanitarian activities.

Materazzi, who admitted insulting Zidane, was given a two-match ban and fined 5,000 Swiss francs.

He will miss Italy's opening two Euro 2008 [ Images ] qualifiers against Lithuania and France [ Images ] in September.

Lawmakers from the Green party, part of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition, said Prodi and Melandri will have to explain in parliament "what they intend to do to protect the image of Italian football".

"There is a clear disproportion between the punishment given to Materazzi and the one given to Zidane. FIFA has set a very dangerous precedent. From now on everybody will feel authorised to react violently to an insult," said one of the lawmakers, Tommaso Pellegrino.