[Carte Blanche]

First off, nobody is going to be criminally prosecuted for this. Things like this happen in sports.

Cats_Eye, nobody is condoning Zidane's actions. Pretty much everyone agrees that he deserved the red card. However, it's the route that is controversial. Your point about Zidane not being a saint is also valid. But neither is Materazzi.

Only a fool will believe that Zidane's headbutt was unprovoked. So far all the sources and reports suggest that a disgusting racially abusive slur caused this event. If these insults really did happen (which, btw, is highly likely), that would make Materazzi more of a villan and Zidane will deservedly gain more sympathy. Granted that Zidane's got a hot temper, but then the Italians also have a reputation of playing dirty. Like Miraz said, Zidane is no sage here, but neither is Matterazzi. He is far from innocent. Since you brought up the issue of track record, let me show you a video that will educate you a little more about the mighty Matterazzi.