Zurich - Fifa announced on Tuesday it had opened a disciplinary investigation into the actions of French skipper Zinedine Zidane who was sent off in the World Cup final for head-butting an Italian opponent.
A Fifa press release said that in a dramatic final there were incidents towards the end of the match that they wanted to clarify.
"Referee Horacio Elizondo sent off French player Zinedine Zidane for an act of violence against Marco Materazzi in the 110th minute," Fifa said.
"The incident was directly observed (without the use of a monitor) by fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo from his position at the pitchside, who informed the referee and his assistants through the communications system.
Fifa will open a disciplinary investigation into Zidanes conduct to enable it to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident as exactly as possible."
Zidane became just the fourth player to be sent off in a World Cup final when he rammed his head into the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi in th second period of extra-time knocking him to the ground.
The referee did not see the off-the-ball incident but pulled out his red card after consulting one of his linesmen.
The game went to penalties which Italy won 5-3.
Any disciplinary action against Zidane will be largely symbolic as he has already announced his retirement as a professional football player.
