Article: Zidane apologizes for violent conduct during World Cup final.

PARIS, JULY 12 (AP/UNB) - French soccer star Zinedine Zidane apologized for head-butting an Italian opponent during the World Cup final, saying Wednesday that he was provoked by harsh insults about his mother and sister.

"I apologize, to all the children" who watched the match Sunday, Zidane said in his first, highly-awaited comments about the brutal act of violence that marked the end of his career.

The 34-year-old midfielder, soft-spoken and relaxed in the interview with Canal-Plus, did not specify exactly what Italian defender Marco Materazzi said that enraged him, but he said it was about his family.

"I would rather have taken a punch in ...

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