4 Nov 2008Materazzi receives damages from Daily Mail

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Marco Materazzi has won damages from the Daily Mail after the newspaper claimed that he racially abused France star Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.

The former Everton defender was on the receiving end of a headbutt from Zidane - who was playing his last-ever game - during extra-time with the match locked at 0-0.

Zidane was subsequently sent off but the Mail reported in the aftermath that Materazzi had provoked the incident by calling him "a son of a terrorist whore".

However, it has been confirmed today (November 4th) that Jonathan Price, lawyer for Associated Newspapers - the owners of the paper - has apologised to the Italian.

Furthermore, the company has offered Materazzi, who currently plays for Inter Milan, substantial - but undisclosed - damages, while also paying for his legal costs.

Zidane has suggested that he reacted after Materazzi insulted his mother, but the centre-back subsequently claimed: "I was tugging his shirt, he said to me 'if you want my shirt so much I'll give it to you afterwards,' and I answered that I'd prefer his sister."

Materazzi scored one goal in 25 league games during his spell at Goodison Park.

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