Horacio Elizondo has no regrets about giving the
footballing legend a red card, an incident which he
insists was not the most important moment in his
career
The referee who gave Zinedine Zidane his
marching orders for headbutting Marco Materazzi
in the 2006 World Cup final says the decision was
difficult but not the most important moment in his
career.
Horacio Elizondo took charge of the clash between
France and Italy seven years ago, which saw les
Bleus' skipper provoked by the Azzurri defender, to
which his violent reaction provoked a red card in
extra-time.
France survived with a man down until the penalty
shoot-out, in which Italy conquered the 1998
champions, but the official does not think that his
decision to send off Zidane was the most pivotal in
his career.
"[I am remembered] for the sending off as it was
the World Cup final and because of the importance
of the player, who was the captain of France and
the best player in the world," Elizondo, who also
took charge of the opening match of the
tournament between Germany and Costa Rice.
"It was a difficult decision to send him off, but one
cannot fail to recognise that the right decision was
made.
"Soon there will have been two World Cups since
then, but everyone still asks me about that
moment. It was a very significant event, but not
the most important decision I made in my career."
Zidane is currently part of Real Madrid's coaching
staff, having worked behind the scenes for the club
in the years following his retirement from playing
football.
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