I worship Zidane: Materazzi

Rome, July 13 (UNI) Italian defender Marco Materazzi, who was head-butted by Zinedine Zidane in the FIFA World Cup final in Berlin, has hailed the Frenchman as his ''hero'' and said he deserved the Golden Ball award despite the incident.

''I really appreciate Zidane, in fact I worship him for what he has been able to do on the pitch. He deserves it (the Golden Ball award), he shouldn't be judged over a single episode,'' Materazzi was quoted as saying by Italian daily Corriere della Sera said.

The admission has come at a time when FIFA has announced the investigation in the episode with President Sepp Blatter hinting that the France midfielder could even be stripped off the award.

Meanwhile contrary to his earlier stance, the Italian also admitted to having insulted Zidane's sister before being charged by the France captain during the match but reiterated that he did not abused the player's mother.

''I exclude any insults to (his) mother. I lost my own mother when I was 15 years old. I would never insult anyone by having a go at their mother.'' ''I made no references to religion, politics or racism,'' he added.

Yesterday, Zidane admitted on a French television that he was provoked by Materazzi, who said ''unspeakable'' things about his mother and sister.

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