Lawyers for FIFA and France's soccer federation criticized efforts by two groups of fans demanding an official investigation of Zinedine Zidane's expulsion from the World Cup final, calling it a ``publicity stunt.''
A Paris court held a hearing Thursday to decide whether to allow the probe, reviving memories of the star's head-butt of Italy defender Marco Materazzi in extra time, which stunned millions of fans and led to a red card for Zidane in the 110th minute.
The groups also want the match replayed. Italy won the July 9 final in Berlin in a penalty shootout.
The groups, whose names translate as ``World Cup 2006 Justice'' and ``The National Action Group for Truth in the World Cup Final 2006,'' say doubts remain about how a referee learned about the head-butt.
They claim the fourth official's view of the incident was blocked, and that he had to rely on a video replay to make the call _ a move not permitted under FIFA rules.
``What better than the World Cup to get your name known'' in a ``publicity stunt,'' retorted Benjamin Peyrelevade, lawyer for the French soccer federation. The groups accuse it and FIFA of wrongdoing.
Lawyers for the two soccer bodies also argued that French courts don't have jurisdiction to rule in the case, and have sought to have it thrown out.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
