Zidane provoked by �very serious� comment

''I did insult him, it's true,'' Materazzi said in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. ''But I categorically did not call him a terrorist. I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is.''

Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time of Sunday's final in Berlin. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy won the game in a penalty shootout.

''I held his shirt for a few seconds only, then he turned round and spoke to me, sneering,'' the Italian defender said. ''He looked me up and down, arrogantly and said: 'If you really want my shirt, I'll give it to you afterwards.'''

The 32-year-old Inter Milan player did not elaborate exactly on what he said to Zidane.

''It was one of those insults you're told tens of times and that always fly around the pitch,'' he said.

Media reports, based on interpretations by lip-readers, have suggested that Materazzi called Zidane a terrorist or insulted his mother or sister. Materazzi denies these claims, too.

''For me, the mother is sacred, you know that,'' Materazzi told the newspaper.