Italy defender Marco Materazzi today accepted a public apology over a claim that he had used vile racist abuse to goad former France captain Zinedine Zidane into headbutting him during the 2006 World Cup final.
The Inter Milan centre-back, who scored Italy's equaliser and one of the crucial match-winning penalties in the shoot-out, was at London's High Court for the settlement of his libel action against Express Newspapers, over articles in the Daily Star.
His counsel, Jane Phillips, said the newspaper accepted that the allegations were 'wholly untrue' and apologised for the distress and embarrassment caused.
Outside court, 34-year-old Materazzi said: 'I really appreciate the apology published in the Daily Star. The truth is now coming out - finally. I am looking forward to a quick and positive conclusion to my claims against the other newspapers who published lies about me. Only then will I be truly satisfied.'
His solicitor, Steven Heffer, said the newspaper would also be paying Materazzi substantial damages and his legal costs.
