ROME (AFP) - Italy's World Cup winning defender Marco Materazzi said Thursday he had made a mistake in sledging French icon Zinedine Zidane during last year's final.

Materazzi told Zidane that he preferred his "whore of a sister" to his shirt.

It was this comment that led to Zidane headbutting the Inter Milan defender in the chest and being dramatically sent off. That incident preceded France losing the final in a penalty shoot-out.
"Six stupid words. I made a mistake but Zidane also made a mistake in reacting the way he did," said the uncompromising Materazzi, who scored in the final and one of the penalties in the shoot-out.

Materazzi was talking at the launch of his book "Life of a warrior", co-written with two Italian journalists, and released just before the Italians face France in Milan in a Euro 2008 qualifier on September 8.

The French won the first match 3-1, but Materazzi will miss the re-match after picking up a thigh injury in a friendly win over Hungary earlier this month.

"I understand why he reacted that way," added Materazzi. "It all happened in a match of high pressure. But I don't understand what came after when he was forgiven by everyone except me who had been headbutted.

"If we made peace, no-one would know about it, we would do it in private perhaps at my house or his. That's why I didn't want to say anything publically. I left the talking to others but only him and me know what happened."

Materazzi, who has undergone surgery on his injured thigh, believes he could be back in action in October.

Although he will miss the match with France in Milan, he appealed to fans to act peacefully in the return leg.

"I want spectators to greet the French team in the same way that we were welcomed by French fans in Paris. They were very fair. I ask the tifosi to do the same."

Materazzi also has his own thoughts on the one-match suspension handed out to France coach Raymond Domenech for that game.

"It's 19 years to the day that my mother died," he said. "Some things are more important."

U

He's not a hero, but it's not his fault Zidane headbutted him. Probably just more attempts at getting his name in the press and getting his book in the spotlight and trying to cast a different light on the situation to generate interest. No doubt.... pfft.

Well he was talking at the launch of his book.......

There was enough contact from super-hero Materazzi to send Malouda crashing from the momentum. France were the superior, more deserving, side throughout the game. History is cruel like that

Matrix is a hero, period. I dont care what he told to Zidane, it was up to Zidane to not fall into his trap.

no way near Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini,I mean no way

Not in the same class as them, but at least in the same class as Gentile and Paolo Montero which is pretty good if you ask me

Genitle ? I doubt it,Montero isn't classic Italian defender,he is not even in Nesta/Cannavaro class

By the way, his book Una vita da guerriero is doing very well.

I've ordered two copies, one for me, one for Cigol, who is learning Italian in anticipation.

Hopefully he headbutts Blatter.