Zidane must have been provoked: Beckenbauer

BERLIN: The World Cup chief organiser Franz Beckenbauer said on Sunday that Italy defender Marco Materazzi must have said something to provoke France's Zinedine Zidane into headbutting him in the final.

"Something must have been said to Zidane. He is actually a reserved and inoffensive person," Beckenbauer said after France lost a penalty shootout without Zidane.

Beckenbauer said Zidane's dismissal after he had headbutted Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time had cost France dear.

"He weakened his team. We know how sensitive the French are when they lose their captain," said the man who won World Cups as a player and coach.

Zidane, 34, had said the final would be the last match of his career.

"It is such a pity that he is stopping and we won't see him any more," Beckenbauer said.