Marco Materazzi has finally broken his silence to reveal the exact phrase that prompted Zinedine Zidane to head butt him in the World Cup Final.
The two men have always been cagey about what was said that day in Berlin on July 9 2006, although Zizou had hinted it was an insult to the women in his family.
Over a year later, Materazzi has confessed the precise words that ended the Frenchman’s career in disgrace.
The players were tugging each other’s shirts during a set-piece in the Italian penalty area when Zidane turned to Materazzi and said “If you really want my shirt, you can have it after the match.”
At this point Matrix admits he responded by saying: “I’d prefer your slut of a sister.”
Zidane took a few more paces, turned and head butted the defender in the chest, prompting his dismissal.
The revelation came in an interview with Italian magazine ‘TV Sorrisi e Canzoni’ and ends months of speculation.
At first there had been suggestions there were racist elements to his comment, but it seems to have been more basic trash-talk on the field of play.
It still earned Materazzi a two-match ban from FIFA for “provocation”, just one less than his aggressor Zidane’s three-match suspension.
“I tried to learn from my mistakes,” added the Inter star. “I have stepped over the line in the past and I apologised for that. I have matured.”
The question marks over what exactly was said even prompted a joke book written along with Materazzi and all the proceeds are going to charity.
Football Italia
The two men have always been cagey about what was said that day in Berlin on July 9 2006, although Zizou had hinted it was an insult to the women in his family.
Over a year later, Materazzi has confessed the precise words that ended the Frenchman’s career in disgrace.
The players were tugging each other’s shirts during a set-piece in the Italian penalty area when Zidane turned to Materazzi and said “If you really want my shirt, you can have it after the match.”
At this point Matrix admits he responded by saying: “I’d prefer your slut of a sister.”
Zidane took a few more paces, turned and head butted the defender in the chest, prompting his dismissal.
The revelation came in an interview with Italian magazine ‘TV Sorrisi e Canzoni’ and ends months of speculation.
At first there had been suggestions there were racist elements to his comment, but it seems to have been more basic trash-talk on the field of play.
It still earned Materazzi a two-match ban from FIFA for “provocation”, just one less than his aggressor Zidane’s three-match suspension.
“I tried to learn from my mistakes,” added the Inter star. “I have stepped over the line in the past and I apologised for that. I have matured.”
The question marks over what exactly was said even prompted a joke book written along with Materazzi and all the proceeds are going to charity.
Football Italia
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