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Zidane off (Xinhua Photo) | BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhuanet) -- World Cup final referee Horacio Elizondo confirmed that he didn't see Zidane's head-butt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi but depend on the information form the fourth official when he decided to send off Zinedine Zidane, Sky Sports reported Thursday.
"I was in another part of the pitch and I didn't hear the dialogue between both players. When I saw Materazzi on the ground, I stopped the game," said Elizondo.
"Assistant number one (Dario Garcia) informed me what the fourth official had told him."
He also admitted that the fact it was Zidane's final match in a glittering career had not even crossed his mind.
"A referee is ready to work with 22 players, eleven of each colour and with different numbers, not caring about the names," he added.
"You cannot even think you're sending-off Zidane in the last game of his career."
Meanwhile, Elizondo, 42-year-old , is now considering retirement.
"My goals in refereeing have been achieved, it's time now to teach what I've have learnt. I want to leave through the front door," he said.Enditem
(Agencies)
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