Zidane deserved Golden Ball
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-14 10:11
Italy defender Marco Materazzi insisted that French soccer star Zinedine
Zidane deserved to be named best player at the World Cup despite his actions in
Sunday's final.
France's soccer team
captain Zinedine Zidane takes part in a television interview in Paris,
July 12, 2006, in which he explained his head-butt on Italy defender Marco
Materazzi during the July 9, 2006 final of the soccer World
Cup.[Reuters] |
Zidane was sent off for butting Materazzi in the chest after the two
exchanged words in extra time. The game finished 1-1 and Italy won its fourth
title in a penalty shootout.
Journalists still selected Zidane for the Golden Ball award, and Materazzi
disagreed with FIFA president Sepp Blatter's suggestion that the 34-year-old
French captain could be stripped of the title.
"He won it for what he did on the pitch," Materazzi told the Gazzetta dello
Sport. "He was the best."
Materazzi acknowledged he insulted Zidane, who he called his "hero," without
giving specifics.
"I didn't say anything to him about racism, religion or politics," Materazzi
said. "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15
and even now I still get emotional talking about her."
Speaking on Canal-Plus television on Wednesday, Zidane didn't reveal what
Materazzi said, but indicated the insults related to his mother and sister.
Zidane, who retired after his 108th appearance for France, stressed that he
felt no regret about his outburst "because that would mean (Materazzi) was right
to say all that."
"My act is not forgivable," Zidane said. "But they must also punish the true
guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes."
FIFA is investigating Zidane.
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