1604英语
"I would rather have taken a punch in the jaw than have heard that ," he told the Canal-Plus television network, stressing that Materazzi's language was "very harsh," and that he uttered the insults several times.
In his first public comments since Sunday's match, Zidane repeatedly apologized to fans, especially to children. But he said he didn't regret the abrupt, violent outburst that marked the end of his illustrious 18-year professional career.
"I tell myself that if things happened this way, it's because somewhere up there it was decided that way ," the 34-year-old midfielder said in an interview on TF1 television. "And I don't regret anything that happened, I accept it."
Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy went on to win in a penalty shootout with Zidane in the locker room.
1604.cn
The act of aggression marred the end of the World Cup, with many warning it would tarnish the legacy of Zidane, who retired after the tournament.
Wednesday, he stressed he felt no regret "because that would mean (Materazzi) was right to say all that."
"There was a serious provocation," Zidane said. "My act is not forgivable. But they must also punish the true guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes."
词汇:
set him off : 让他暴怒
head-butting: 用头撞人
illustrious: shining, outstanding(杰出的,卓越的)
if things happened this way, it's because somewhere up there it was decided that way: 如果事情这样发生了,那么它就是注定的,是命运这样安排和决定的。
extra-time: 加时赛
penalty shootout: 点球大战

