PARIS - Marco Materazzi, the Italy international head-butted by Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final, says he is perfectly prepared to meet up with the retired France star.
"When the time comes to meet there`ll be no problem. I know that like me he made a mistake," the Inter Milan defender told French radio station RTL in an interview set to be aired on Wednesday.
Zidane lost his cool after provocation from Materazzi in the dying minutes of the World Cup final in Berlin resulting in a red card for the French veteran in his last appearance as a player.
Materazzi added: "A meeting could take place one day but the right conditions have to be in place, don`t forget that at the end of the day it was me who received the headbutt, not him.
"I`ve already said sorry, now we wait...."
Zidane saw red after Materazzi - who had levelled the match at 1-1 after Zidane had opened the scoring with a penalty - riled him five minutes from the end of extra time in an altercation that left an indelible mark on the 2006 final won on penalties by Italy.
After Materazzi had tugged at Zidane`s shirt the French midfielder turned to him and said: "You can have it after the game" with the Italian supposedly replying: "I`d rather have your sister".
Materazzi has just published a humourous book on the infamous episode called "What I really said to Zidane" with proceeds going to charity.
Zidane, asked last week whether he had received or would buy Materazzi`s book, said simply: "No."
In Wednesday`s interview Materazzi attempted to shed some light on the circumstances behind the flare-up at the Olympic Stadium.
"Sometimes when you`re playing you have the urge to talk, that`s what`s happened with Zidane.
"I`m sure that in another context and with less tension around he`d never have had the same reaction.`
Materazzi praised the French fans for the reception they`d given the world champions when they played Les Bleus at the Stade de france in a Euro 2008 qualifier last month and won by France 3-1.
"All my teammates were treated impeccably, the national anthem was applauded as was the minute`s silence for (Giacinto) Fachetti (former Inter Milan president), to the honour of the French public."
10/24/2006 17:30 GMT