The official who sent off Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final has finally revealed the French legend’s reaction to the infamous red card.
No VAR, No Clue: How the 2006 Final Referee Sent Zidane Off Without Seeing the Incident
Referee Horacio Elizondo has opened up about that unforgettable night in Berlin, where Zidane ended his career with a shocking headbutt on Marco Materazzi in extra time.
The Argentine official admits he never actually saw the incident. With France and Italy locked at 1-1 in the 110th minute, Elizondo was watching play further up the pitch when Zidane launched his assault on the Italian defender.
“I saw Materazzi didn’t get up, so I stopped the play and started running towards him,” Elizondo told Gazzetta.
“While I was running, I asked the first assistant: ‘What happened?’ He said: ‘I didn’t see anything.’ Same for the second assistant.”
With no VAR available in 2006, the fourth official, Medina Cantalejo, stepped in to inform Elizondo of Zidane’s actions.
The referee then deliberately pretended to consult with his assistants who had also seen nothing to create the appearance of a considered decision.
“I started talking to the assistant, pretending that he knew something. I wanted to make this ‘acting’ to make people understand,” Elizondo revealed.
What happened next surprised the official. As he reached for his back pocket, Zidane began removing his captain’s armband without protest. The French icon accepted the decision calmly.
When Elizondo prepared to write the red card in his notebook, Zidane approached him and asked: “Calm, the red card is correct, but didn’t you hear or see what happened before?”
The referee responded: “No, what happened?” But Zidane simply turned and walked away.
Materazzi later admitted he insulted Zidane’s sister, saying: “Zidane offered me his shirt, and I said no, that I preferred his sister.”
Despite France holding on with ten men to force penalties, David Trezeguet missed his spot-kick, allowing Fabio Grosso to secure Italy’s fourth World Cup triumph.
Zidane later apologised to children who witnessed the incident but refused to regret his actions, stating:
“I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said.”
