Zidane Might Lose "Golden Ball" Award

Zidane has won the "Golden Ball" award for the most outstanding player in the World Cup. At least that's what we were all told the day after the World Cup final ended. After numbering the votes, the French midfielder managed to get in front of Cannavaro with only 35 votes. Still, most of them came until the half time, when Zidane was still playing for his team. Only 5 minutes later, the Frenchman produced one of the most shameful exits from football, hitting Materazzi in the chest with his head.

Only 3 day away from the final, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that Zizou might lose the award. And that's how we got our answer to the question "how will Zidane be punished, if found guilty?". FIFA announced, earlier today, that they will open up an inquiry concerning this incident, since serious bans are to be taken under consideration.

Still, Zidane already retired from football so there wasn't much the world body could have done to him, as sportive actions are concerned. Taking the "Golden Ball" award from him may be the solution. Still, I doubt Zizou cares about that so much, since everyone knows that it was more of a consolation prize. Even Zidane realized that, if the voting had lasted a few more hours, Cannavaro would have probably taken the trophy.

"FIFA's executive committee has the right and duty to intervene when it sees behavior that is contrary to sports ethics. Before we make any decision we have to await the outcome of the investigation. Being presumed innocent until proven otherwise is sacred principle", said Sepp Blatter earlier today. It is yet unknown when this inquiry will end, but what we can be sure of is that Zidane is going to tell his side of the story tonight.

It may mean a lot to FIFA, since a racial insult that might have provoked Zidane would mean that the Frenchman should hold on to his prize.