Zidane refuses to meet me says Materazzi 01/08/2007 00:00

BERLIN, Aug 1, 2007 (AFP) - Italy defender Marco Materazzi says he has tried several times to arrange a meeting with Zinedine Zidane, but the Frenchman who headbutted him in the 2006 World Cup final has always refused to meet him.

"I am at peace with myself. I have tried several times to meet Zidane to put all that behind us, but he has refused. That's his problem," Materazzi said in an interview with Germany's Sport Bild magazine published on Wednesday

Zidane was sent off following the headbutt to Materazzi's chest at Berlin's Olympic Stadium last July. The Frenchman claimed the Italian had taunted him and made crude remarks about his family.

Materazzi said: "It's clear that many people see me as the aggressor, but like Zidane I was punished by FIFA."

The 33-year-old Inter Milan player said "someone at the top of world football" had ordered him to be suspended for two international matches, but he would not give the person's name.

With Zidane off the pitch, Italy went on to beat France in a penalty shootout. Zidane retired from football after the match.

AFP

Subject: French news