Marco Materazzi has received an apology over claims that he used racist taunts in the 2006 World Cup Final.
Italian defender cleared of World Cup Final taunts
Marco Materazzi has received a public apology over claims that he used racist taunts against Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup Final.
The Italian defender was accused of goading the French playmaker until he eventually snapped, butted him, and got himself sent off.
The Internazionale defender, who scored Italy's equaliser in the game and converted a crucial penalty in the shoot-out, has always protested his innocence and believes that his reputation as a trouble-maker was unfairly held against him.
As a result, the former Everton man was at London's High Court on Monday for the settlement of his libel case against Express Newspapers concerning articles printed in the Daily Star.
His counsel, Jane Phillips, confirmed that the newspaper had accepted that the allegations were "wholly untrue" and had apologised for the undue stress and embarrassment which had been caused.
Satisfied
A relieved Materazzi was delighted at the ruling and admitted that he is now hoping that other newspapers will follow suit and retract their own stories which carried the false accusations.
"I really appreciate the apology published in the Daily Star," he said.
"The truth is 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."
