Marco Materazzi has accepted a public apology over a claim that he had used racist abuse to goad Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.France legend Zidane headbutted the Italy centre-back, who scored his country's equaliser and one of the crucial match-winning penalties in the shoot-out, in Germany.

Materazzi was at London's High Court for the settlement of his libel action against Express Newspapers, over articles in the Daily Star.

His counsel, Jane Phillips, said the newspaper accepted that the allegations were "wholly untrue" and apologised for the distress and embarrassment caused.

Outside court, 34-year-old Materazzi said: "I really appreciate the apology published in the Daily Star. The truth is now coming out - finally. I am looking forward to a quick and positive conclusion to my claims against the other newspapers who published lies about me. Only then will I be truly satisfied."

His solicitor, Steven Heffer, said the newspaper would also be paying Materazzi substantial damages and his legal costs.

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