snapej
10th July 2006, 07:12 PM
Speculation is mounting worldwide as to what exactly was said by Marco Materazzi for Zinedine Zidane to react in such an aggressive manner.
It has been claimed that France captain Zinedine Zidane was goaded into headbutting after being called a "terrorist", according to emerging reports.
Zidane was named the World Cup's best player, despite being sent off for a violent incident in the closing stages of Sunday's night World cup final.
Materazzi was seen restraining the Frenchman in the run-up to the incident and while the Italian refused to comment after the match there has been speculation in French newspaper L'Equipe that he called Zidane "a terrorist".
Zidane's furious French teammate William Gallas raged at Materazzi: "When I see this, I want to smash his face. Sometimes you have players who are clever and say something to you and you are very angry and want to kill that player."
Former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf told BBC Radio 5 Live:
"I think Materazzi said something very bad to him for him to react like that. But it doesn't matter what he said - you cannot agree with what he did. I feel very ashamed - because it is not the kind of thing that this team does."
Zidane's agent, Alain Migliaccio, claims Materazzi insulted the French-born son of Algerian immigrants.
"He was very sad for everything that happened but this is life,'' Migliaccio told Radio Five Live.
"He is a human being not a god.
"I know Zizou (Zidane) well and even though he hasn't told me exactly what Materazzi said, I know that he was provoked.
"Materazzi said something very grave to him, I don't know what it was.
"Zizou will not reveal what Materazzi said to him, but he will, in one or two days' time, explain why he had such a reaction.
"When he is calmer he will speak."
France had looked the stronger side in extra time until the sending-off but Zidane's penalty-taking ability was not available for the shoot-out.
A flawless display by Italy saw them win 5-3 and claim a fourth World Cup. French striker David Trezeguet was the only man to miss from the spot.
It has been claimed that France captain Zinedine Zidane was goaded into headbutting after being called a "terrorist", according to emerging reports.
Zidane was named the World Cup's best player, despite being sent off for a violent incident in the closing stages of Sunday's night World cup final.
Materazzi was seen restraining the Frenchman in the run-up to the incident and while the Italian refused to comment after the match there has been speculation in French newspaper L'Equipe that he called Zidane "a terrorist".
Zidane's furious French teammate William Gallas raged at Materazzi: "When I see this, I want to smash his face. Sometimes you have players who are clever and say something to you and you are very angry and want to kill that player."
Former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf told BBC Radio 5 Live:
"I think Materazzi said something very bad to him for him to react like that. But it doesn't matter what he said - you cannot agree with what he did. I feel very ashamed - because it is not the kind of thing that this team does."
Zidane's agent, Alain Migliaccio, claims Materazzi insulted the French-born son of Algerian immigrants.
"He was very sad for everything that happened but this is life,'' Migliaccio told Radio Five Live.
"He is a human being not a god.
"I know Zizou (Zidane) well and even though he hasn't told me exactly what Materazzi said, I know that he was provoked.
"Materazzi said something very grave to him, I don't know what it was.
"Zizou will not reveal what Materazzi said to him, but he will, in one or two days' time, explain why he had such a reaction.
"When he is calmer he will speak."
France had looked the stronger side in extra time until the sending-off but Zidane's penalty-taking ability was not available for the shoot-out.
A flawless display by Italy saw them win 5-3 and claim a fourth World Cup. French striker David Trezeguet was the only man to miss from the spot.