I'm no saint says Zidane

Real Madrid midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane, hitting out at critics, said it was only right that at times he had to defend himself, As daily newspaper reported on Saturday.

Zidane, who was once banned for five matches in European competition while at Juventus and had a two-match suspension at the 1998 World Cup finals, both for violent conduct, said: "I'm no saint."

"But I'm not always going to do nothing when I'm being kicked. Sometimes I'm going to kick back."

"It's true that during the Celta Vigo game I deserved to earn a yellow card, but they also did things which were not seen on television. Whatever I do everyone sees."

Television images showed Zidane stamping on a Vigo defender during the January 11 fixture where Madrid earned a 1-0 away win.