Materazzi's World Cup insult of Zidane revealed
MILAN, Italy (AP) — Italy defender Marco Materazzi has finally disclosed what he said to Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final that provoked the former France midfielder to retaliate with a head-butt.
"I prefer the ***** that is your sister," Materazzi wrote in his yet-to-be-released autobiography, according to Italian news reports on Saturday.
Italian magazine TV Sorrisi E Canzoni reported the insult in an interview with Materazzi, which comes out on Monday.
LOOKING BACK: Coverage of the 2006 World Cup
However, Materazzi told ANSA news agency that the words were not part of the interview.
"Rather they are from page 21 of my autobiography," Materazzi said Saturday. "I will speak about the book at length but only on Aug. 30, the day set aside for its presentation in Milan."
Zidane head-butted Materazzi in the chest with 10 minutes left in last year's final. He was sent off for violent conduct, ending his stellar career with a red card.
Italy went on to win the match in a penalty shootout after the score was 1-1 after extra time.
Materazzi, who received a two-game ban for incitement, has since apologized to Zidane.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: World Cup | Italy | Italian | Milan | Marco Materazzi
France coach Raymond Domenech said earlier this month that Materazzi did the right thing by getting Zidane sent off.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
