Paris - Zinedine Zidane was to speak out on French television on Wednesday for the first time since his savage head-butt and subsequent sending off in the World Cup final, a move likely to end days of worldwide speculation on what prompted the violent outburst.
Zidane - who retired from professional soccer following France's loss to Italy on Sunday in a penalty shoot-out - was to speak on pay channel Canal Plus at 18:00 GMT.
Zidane and Italian defender Marco Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time of Sunday's final in Berlin. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
The move stunned the sporting world and marred the end of the World Cup, with many warning it would mar Zidane's formidable legacy. Zidane has not explained the move or spoken publicly since.
Some observers have speculated that Materazzi taunted the star midfielder, whose parents immigrated to France from Algeria, with a racist insult.
Materazzi acknowledged he insulted Zidane, but denied reports he called him a terrorist.
"I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is," Materazzi was quoted as saying in Tuesday's edition of Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport. Materazzi didn't specify what he said to Zidane.
AP
