Zinedine Zidane insists he “will never apologise” for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final.
The French legend was sent off in his last ever competitive game, having struck Italy defender Materazzi in the chest during extra time.
“At first it was difficult, I cannot deny that,” Zidane told L'Equipe newspaper of the fall-out from that incident.
“I was provoked on that occasion and it doesn't seem right for me to say sorry, even if I'm not proud of the gesture. But I will never apologise.
Zinedine Zidane insists he “will never apologise” for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final.
The French legend was sent off in his last ever competitive game, having struck Italy defender Materazzi in the chest during extra time.
“At first it was difficult, I cannot deny that,” Zidane told L'Equipe newspaper of the fall-out from that incident.
“I was provoked on that occasion and it doesn't seem right for me to say sorry, even if I'm not proud of the gesture. But I will never apologise.
“All this is a part of my career, of my life. There are moments that are not welcome and this is one of them.”