World Cup Nonsense

[Nigel]

Since Sunday evening, the whole World has been debating what Italian defender Marco Materazzi said to Zinedine Zidane to make the retiring Frenchman react in the way he did. The French captain, in his last ever professional game, thrust his head into Materazzi's chest in Sunday's World Cup Final resulting in a red card and shame for Zidane. Today, with the help of Italian lip-reader Arturo Belladini, we can reveal what drove Zidane to self destruct.

Materazzi is seen to hold Zidane's shirt on the edge of the penalty box in extra-time at which point Zidane says,

"If you really want my shirt, you can have it later.'"

Materazzi responds:

"I don't want your shirt, you m***** f*****, you're a f****** old man."

As they jog away Zidane is seen to laugh at this, and it is unclear how he responds at this point since his back is turned to the TV camera.

Materazzi then hits a volley of abuse. "You should've quit 2 years ago, you're a f****** has-been."

"M***** f*****! Your mum is a f****** muslim terrorist and you are too, f*** you old man, f*** you."

Zidane ignores the chiding remarks. And so they start again.

"Old man, this arena is not for you anymore, m***** f*****."

Zidane carries on jogging away from the scene. Almost.



"You are only good enough for West Ham now."

And it's at this very point that Zidane turns and head-butts him.