Soccer: Materazzi not yet ready to shake hands with Zidane

Marco Materazzi

PARIS - Italy defender Marco Materazzi, headbutted in the chest by Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final, said he might eventually shake hands with the Frenchman - but not just yet.

"It could happen one day but all the conditions will have to be met," Materazzi told French radio station RTL when asked whether he was ready to shake hands with Zidane.

"At the end of the day, it was me who received the headbutt, not him. I have apologised. Now I am waiting (for Zidane's apology)".

Materazzi said he in the interview he had publicly apologised for insulting Zidane's sister in the Berlin final.

Zidane was shown a red card 10 minutes before the end of extra time in the July 9 final after headbutting Materazzi. That ensured he missed the penalty shootout that decided the match in Italy's favour.

"When the time comes to meet one another, there will not be any problem," Materazzi said. "I know that he has made a mistake, just like I have. Those things happen on a football pitch".

- REUTERS