http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm Zinedine Zidane has apologised for the headbutt on Italy's Marco Materazzi which earned him a red card in Sunday's World Cup final penalty shoot-out loss.
But the France legend did not reveal what Materazzi said, only confirming that it was "very personal" and concerned his mother and his sister.
In a French TV interview, Zidane, 34, said: "I want to ask for forgiveness from all the children who watched that.
"There was no excuse for it. I want to be open and honest about it."
But he refused to say sorry to Materazzi and said he did not regret what he did.
"You hear those things once and you try to walk away," said Zidane, who retired from football after the final in Berlin.
"That's what I wanted to do because I am retiring. You hear it a second time and then a third time...
I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said
Zinedine Zidane
"This was not something to do. I want to make it clear because it was watched by two billion people and by millions of kids.
"I want to apologise to them but I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said."
Zidane was sent off for headbutting Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time in Sunday's final in Berlin.
Since the incident, rumours have run rife about what Materazzi said to provoke such a reaction from the Frenchman.
There were claims the Italian had called Zidane a "terrorist", but Materazzi denied he had made such a slur.
In Tuesday's edition of the Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport, Materazzi said: "It was the kind of insult you will hear dozens of times and just slips out of the ground.
"I didn't call Zidane a terrorist and certainly didn't mention his mother."
Zidane, who was born and grew up in Marseille, is the son of Algerian immigrants and has suffered taunts about his heritage throughout his football career.
Zidane was shown the red card during the World Cup final
But Materazzi added: "I am ignorant, I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is; my only terrorist is her," he said pointing to his 10-month-old daughter.
"I did not bring up Zidane's mother; for me a mother is sacred."
After Materazzi's insult, Zidane headbutted Materazzi's chest and was sent off, with Italy going on to win the match 5-3 on penalties.
"I held his shirt, for only a few seconds," said Materazzi, who had scored Italy's equaliser after Zidane put France ahead from the penalty spot.
"He turned towards me and scoffed at me, looking at me with super arrogance, up and down.
"He said 'if you really want my shirt, you can have it later.' It's true, I shot back with an insult."
Fifa is to investigate Zidane's sending-off while Fifa president Sepp Blatter has hinted the France star could be stripped of his World Cup best player award.
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