Special: FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006>>>

Former France captain Zinedine Zidane will appear in a hearing before FIFA's disciplinary committee on Thursday and may get punishment for his head-butting incident in the World Cup final.

Zidane will give his account of the incident in the World Cup final against Italy on July 9 when he was sent off in the closing stages of the final match for butting his head into the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi.

The 34-year-old retired after the game as he announced long ago before the final took place.

Zidane could face a fine and also be stripped of his Golden Ball award as the best player in the tournament.

 Materazzi, who appeared before the FIFA panel last week, also faces a possible fine and match ban.

 FIFA said it would announce its verdicts following the closed-door hearing on Thursday.

Zidane has already submitted written testimony. He will attend the hearing with French soccer federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and legal adviser Jean Lapeyre, the French association said.

Zidane said he attacked Materazzi because he insulted his mother and sister. Materazzi denied insulting Zidane's mother.

Editor: Donald