The France coach said: "I don't mention what happens inside the group, I will not speak on behalf of the players, but it's sad having a great player like Zidane sent off, especially in his final game. Something must have happened but I don't know what. I don't think he decided out of the blue to [head-butt] him, that he wanted to leave the pitch, something must have happened. I'm not saying that I am excusing it but I can understand."
Domenech added: "The referee saw nothing, the assistant referee saw nothing and then we have the fourth official seeing the video replay and telling the referee. The sending-off killed the game and they [italy] played for penalties. It should not have been Pirlo who was man of the match but Materazzi, because he made a drama out of everything. Materazzi organised the sending-off."