Conscience clear: Materazzi

ROME: Marco Materazzi, suspended for provoking Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the World Cup final, has said he is a little bitter but has a clear conscience in his first comments since FIFA's ban.
    
Italian media and football officials reacted to the two-match ban with indignation, saying his punishment was almost on a par with that of Zidane, who was given a three-match ban though he has retired anyway.

 

Materazzi, commenting for the first time since the verdict by football's world governing body, told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm a little bitter but I can hold my head up high because I have the assurance of someone with a clear conscience.

 

"A lot of people have judged me. I have made errors in my life, but not always. I can look myself in the mirror and the important thing is to have a clear conscience."

 

Italian sports minister Giovanna Melandri summed up the general feeling in the country by criticising Friday's decision, saying FIFA were showing a prejudiced attitude towards Italy.

 

Materazzi will miss Italy's Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Lithuania on September 2 and a World Cup final rematch against France on September 6.

 

Zidane was sent off, after provocation by Materazzi, near the end of extra-time in the World Cup final, which Italy eventually won on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in Berlin on July 9.