SYDNEY – Socceroos star Tim Cahill said Zinedine Zidane was only "human" in reacting to an insult from Italy's Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final.
But the Everton midfielder said he does not condone the France captain's actions of head-butting the defender in the chest, adding when it came to sledging on the field in football: "You take it on the chin, after the game you shake hands, and you take it like a man."
Zidane was sent off in his final game as a professional footballer following the incident with France going on to lose the final in a penalty shootout.
Lip readers employed by British newspapers claim Zidane was reacting to racist, vulgar comments by Materazzi, with The Times newspaper reporting the defender as allegedly saying: "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore."
Materazzi has admitted to offering Zidane an insult, but denied calling him a terrorist. The 32-year-old did not elaborated on what he did say, but one report suggested he responded with: "I'd rather take the shirt off your wife."
FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Cahill today said Materazzi had obviously said something to provoke such a response from Zidane.
"(Materazzi) obviously must have said something, but it's very out of character (for Zidane)," Cahill said.
"I suppose if you talk about someone's family, not justifying it, but he's probably human like a lot of people who react.
"It's just something that's crazy, that's happened in football, and I'm sure (Zidane) will be forgiven."
The Socceroos bowed out of the World Cup in the round of 16, losing 1-0 to Italy after the Azzurri were awarded a controversial penalty in the final minute.
Asked if the Socceroos were on the receiving end of any sledging from the Italians in that game, Cahill said: "I think if you're watching it on telly you probably would have seen a bit.
"But I think it comes part and parcel with football.
"We're all grown ups. After the game you take it on the chin, shake hands, and you take it like a man."
Despite Italy ending Australia's World Cup campaign, Cahill said he was happy for Italy's success.
"It's fantastic, I'm really happy for them," he said.
"It's a compliment to Australia and how far we've come.
"I think if you ask them we were probably the hardest game they played, and I'm very happy for them."
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