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Marco Materazzi: I used 'stupid words' before Zinedine Zidane head-butt

Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi has told L'Equipe what happened before he was head-butted by Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin.

The infamous incident happened in extra time of a match France lost 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in which both men scored.

Materazzi said he had been provoked before confronting Zidane and explained that he had made a comment about the France star's sister, not his mother as had been reported, before he was head-butted.

He admitted he had used "stupid words," but added: "They didn't deserve to provoke such a reaction.