Why Zidane flipped.

K Jay

Sister jibe led to ZZ losing his top
Marco Materazzi has revealed what he said to Zinedine Zidane to prompt the then France skipper to headbutt him during the World Cup final.

Zidane, who was playing his last game before retirement, has been reluctant to provide details about what the Italy centre-half had said, only confirming that the comments were of a personal nature and concerned his sister and mother.

Now, nearly two months on, former Everton defender Materazzi has lifted the lid on his version of events.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport that Zidane, who was frustrated by the defender's shirt-pulling, offered to give the Inter Milan man his jersey after match.

"I would prefer your sister," replied Materazzi. "I answered verbally with a provocation to defend myself. Yes, I was tugging his shirt, but when he said to me scornfully 'If you want my shirt so much I'll give it to you afterwards,' is that not a provocation? I answered that I'd prefer his sister, it's true.

"It's not a particularly nice thing to say, I recognise that. But loads of players say worse things...I didn't even know he had a sister before all this happened."

Materazzi's revelation comes ahead of the rematch between the two sides on Wednesday in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

MVS says: If this is true I unreservedly apologise to Narc and applaud Materazzi's brilliance. Probability is tho he's a lying greasy Itie!! j/K

I had a sig, once.

Snowman

I'll accept your apology :S