"Materazzi insulted my mother and sister in very tough words," Zidane said in an interview with Canal Plus.

"They were very hard words and he repeated them several times. Sometimes words are harder than gestures. It all happened very quickly and the words hurt me deep down."

Zidane was handed a red card in the closing stages of Sunday's World Cup final when he head-butted Italy defender Materazzi in the chest after an angry exchange between them.

The incident was a center of heated debate since Sunday night and question marks have been mounting over the reason that forced Zidane to assault Materazzi with ten minutes remaining in extra time.

France held on to keep a 1-1 draw but missed the services of Zidane in the shootout that they lost 5-3.

The France captain, though, apologized to people, especially the children, who were watching the game but said he doesn't regret his violent reaction.

"I want to ask for forgiveness from all the children who watched," said Zidane, a main inspiration for the French and World football over the past ten years.

"There was no excuse for it. I want to be open and honest about it. 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 apologize to them but I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said."

Although many believe Zidane's dismissal ended Les Bleus dreams of winning the World Cup, the France number 10 was received like heroes back home.

Thousands of French fans chanted supporting slogans to Zidane, carried his shirt and photos when the team arrived in Paris as they were received by President Jacques Chirac.

"In such a hard and intense moment for you, I would like to express the whole nation's affection and admiration for you," an emotional Chirac said addressing Zidane.

"You are a virtuoso, a genius of football and an exceptional human being. That is why France admires you."

Zidane's story contradicts with what Materazzi said to Italian media on Tuesday when he admitted to insulting the French icon but denied any racial or family abuse.

"It was an insult that you can hear tens of times everyday and which is not that serious," Materazzi told Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"I certainly didn't call him a terrorist or bring up Zidane's mother; for me a mother is sacred."

FIFA investigate the incident and chairman Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that Zidane may be stripped of the his award as the Best Player in the World Cup.