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Materazzi denies speaking of Zidane's mother July 13, 2006 11:22 IST
Italian defender Marco Materazzi, who head-butted by Zinedine Zidane [Images] during the World Cup final, has denied insulting the France [Images] captain's mother. In an interview given to Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday, Materazzi said Zidane is his footballing hero. "I said nothing to him about race, religion or politics. I did not talk about his mother either," the defender was quoted as saying. "I lost my mother when I was 15 and it still upsets me to talk about it. Of course I didn't know that his mother was in hospital. I send her my best wishes." Materazzi gave the interview before Zidane appeared on live French television to talk about the attack which earned him a red card in his last professional game. The match finished 1-1 after the 34-year-old captain was sent off and France lost 5-3 on penalties. In his television interview with Canal Plus Zidane said Materazzi had insulted both his mother and sister. However, Materazzi told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Zidane was always my hero. I admire him greatly."
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