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Materazzi: I forgive Zizou
09/12/2006 16:12 - (SA)
Lisbon - Italy defender Marco Materazzi says he has forgiven French football legend Zinedine Zidane for head-butting him in the chest in the dying moments of World Cup final in July.
"It was a less thoughtful attitude but I have already forgiven him. I have nothing against him, as I have said various times. The door to my house is open to him," Materazzi said in an interview published on Saturday in daily Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha.
"It's normal for a player to provoke his adversary. I did it but I didn't say anything with the intention to offend Zidane. He interpreted things otherwise and reacted badly," he added.
"I want to forget this and I hope one day all of this will be forgotten. I just want to remember that I was world champion, nothing else."
Zidane was ejected in the second period of extra time from the July 9 final in Berlin for the head-butt, which stunned millions of fans watching the match live around the world.
The French footballer said he had been the target of incessant crude remarks from Materazzi.
Italy went on to defeat France 5-3 on penalties after the match had finished tied at 1-1. Zidane put France ahead with a penalty-kick before Materazzi headed the equaliser. Zidane retired from football after the World Cup.
- AFP
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