Zidane arrives for disciplinary hearing

ZURICH, July 20 (Reuters) Former France captain Zinedine Zidane spent around 90 minutes at FIFA's Swiss headquarters today facing a disciplinary hearing into the head-butting incident that earned him a red card at the World Cup final.

The 34-year-old three-times FIFA World Player of the Year was driven past a media scrum of some 50 reporters. A handful of Zidane fans wearing France team shirts cheered and shouted messages of encouragement to the player beforehand.

He gave little reaction after leaving in a large, black car.

Zidane head-butted the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the closing stages of the July 9 final in Berlin, which Italy subsequently won on penalties.

FIFA's five-member disciplinary panel will also consider possible punishments against Materazzi who has admitted insulting Zidane just before the head butt.

Zidane faces a possible fine and a suspension -- despite the fact that he has retired from the game.

REUTERS DH PM1630