Also, FIFA president Sepp Blatter had said at an earlier stage that video evidence to make a decision was not an option. He said it was not "an ideal solution" and ruled it out.
The official FIFA line, according to spokesman Andreas Herren, is that the line official saw the incident and he told the referee over the communications system.
Whatever the facts of the case, Zidane was sent off after becoming only the fourth man to score three goals in World Cup finals (after Geoff Hurst, Pele and Paul Breitner).
He was at the center of this World Cup, and to those who say the headbutting will be an indelible stain on his record, I say think again.
It's not the first time he has shown his tough side. Zidane was the first Frenchman to be sent off in a World Cup, 1998, and he was also given a five-match suspension for headbutting in a Champions League match.
To take another example, Maradona was sent packing from the World Cup in the US after being caught doping. But he will be remembered more for his incredible skills and performances on the field than anything else.
Though Zidane was guilty, my feeling is that it's even sadder that gamesmanship from the Italians won the day.
Ironically, the dramatic way Zidane chose to leave the soccer stage may burnish the legend rather than detract from it because the incident will be repeated forever on video.
Like Eric Cantona of Manchester United, who was sent off for a flying drop kick on a rival fan, the incident will burnish his reputation as a tough man. And we love them.
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