He admits he tweaked Zidane's nipple and when the France captain then promised him his shirt after the game Materazzi replied: "I'd rather take the shirt off your wife." He says it was then he was attacked.

Fans around the world were stunned as Zidane butted his opponent and was sent off. Italy went on to win the final on penalties.

The condemnation was not universal yesterday, though. The France squad returned home to a reception hosted by President Jacques Chirac, with whom Zidane – ironically voted best player of the tournament – enjoyed a tete-a-tete of a more friendly nature.

Chirac said: "Dear Zinedine, in such a hard and intense moment for you, I would like to express the whole nation's affection and admiration for you. You are a virtuoso, a genius of football and an exceptional human being."

Zidane has refused to reveal the exact comment which provoked his red card madness in his final game before retirement, only that Materazzi said something "very serious".

Zidane is fiercely proud of his Arab background and his mother, who struggled to raise five children in poverty. And last night a French Football Federation source blamed Materazzi.

The source said: "Lots of things were said but if you insult Zidane's mother you are asking for trouble.

"Combine such words with a reference to terrorism, which French Algerians are very sensitive about, and a violent reaction might appear inevitable." As Materazzi returned with his team-mates to a heroes' welcome in Italy yesterday, he said: "It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist."

Italian papers suggested Materazzi was provoked by Zidane insulting his mother – who died when he was young. He hit back, telling Zidane he had "made love to his sister" and sparking the assault, they claimed.

The defender's father Giuseppe said: "Marco did not tell me what Zidane said, but he told me he had been provoked. Zidane is a great footballer but it's not the first time he has resorted to this sort of behaviour."