Zidane and Materazzi Banned and Fined

Fifa is going to be very busy after this ruling on the Mat and ZZ issue.

Giving Mat a suspension for verbal provocation of ZZ sets a new precedent and will make the lawyers very happy. I knew i should have went into law. Now every time a red card is issued there will be a built in excuse of provocation.

I also think a blog should be started so the many people who posted that Mat is a racist can now apologise to him.

This is a quote from Fifa website with regards to the comments made by Mat

In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi’s comments had been defamatory but NOT of a racist nature.

Fifa already administer drug tests i think the board who made this decision to give Mat 2 games should be made to do an IQ test.

FOR SHAME FIFA

DISGRACE. FRANCE CRIED AND MANAGED TO EQUATE THE INDEFENSIBLE ACTIONS OF ONE BABY AGAINST THE LOUSY WORDS OF ANTOTHER. I AGREE. THIS DOES SET A PRECEDENCE AND I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT WHEN AN FIF THE TABLES ARE EVER TURNED ON FRANCE THEY WOULD AGREE. I AM ALSO SUSPICIOUS THAT FIFA WOULD APPLY THIS FAIRLY. HOW IN THE WORLD ARE THEY GOING TO POLICE WORDS ON THE FIELD? AS IF THEY DON’T ALREADY HAVE PROBLEMS AS IT IS. ONCE AGAIN SEPP BLATTER SHOWS HIS STUPIDITY. CONGRATS FRANCE, HOW ARE WE TO THINK OF YOU AS ANYTHING BUT SORE LOSERS? AND YES, MATERAZZI DOES DESERVE AN APOLOGY SINCE LIES WERE THROWN HIS WAY. AND THE BIGGEST LIAR OF THEM ALL IS ZIDANE. HE’S NO HERO.

Does no one else agree that FIFA gave Materazzi a two match ban to ensure he’ll miss the Euro 2008 qualifier against France?

I saw that whole game and I thought that it was an awesome game. I think that they ruled the game just perfectly.

If Materazzi could get an opponent of Zidane’s skills kicked out of a game he would do it again and again and again. The ref. should have (assuming he heard the comments) given Materazzi a red card too. The NBA has eliminated the taunting and other sports need to do the same. There is an excellent article in Time Magazine this week about this incident. The article makes a very strong point that actions like this have no room in soccer. Also the wrestling, holding and shirt pulling on set pieces needs to be punished. By eliminating the taunting and tugging and actions like it soccer could really blossom. This world cup has shown what doing nothing will bring – phonoy injuries, diving, taunting etc. and that is dstroying the game.

hmmm u seem to hav put a pic of zidane and not materazzi?

FIFA did a good job in this decision, and for not ignoring the provocations of materazzi. hehehee at least the match-banning will affect materazzi and not zidane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Claude, you wouldn’t be saying that if it was Zidane provoking and Matarazzi doing the headbutting. The only reason anyone cares about what Matarazzi said is because he’s an Italian player if he played for Brazil or Germany there would be no suspension. I feel sorry for the Italian players, they have been shit on and continue to be shit on by people who have spent all their energy in this world cup slandering them and dragging their names through the mud and calling them low-lives and cheaters and for what, because they won some football games? Why not just give everyone a red card, why not just flush the whole World Cup tournament down the toilet because that’s where it’s heading in the future. All this drama because an over-grown child can dish it out and cannot take it, I guess we’re all saying to our children that violence is the answer. Bravo!

Absolutly disgraceful attempt by FIFA today. All you racists should apologize to Marco and all of the Italians out there for some of the harsh comments layed out. Disgusting.

Today Fifa also opened the flood gates, there is going to be soooo much garbage coming through those doors. And who do we have to thank? The French sore losers, The American/British Italian Haters out there, you have just ruined the beautiful game, and turned it into a political heap of shit like formula one and countless other sports have become, thanks!!!!!

Might I add, your ruined the game out of your sheer jealousy for the Italian culture and success at the sport. Well done you should be proud!!!

“The article makes a very strong point that actions like this have no room in soccer. Also the wrestling, holding and shirt pulling on set pieces needs to be punished. By eliminating the taunting and tugging and actions like it soccer could really blossom.”

Oh great, then we’ll have an yellow card every 30 seconds. Yellow cards just weren’t flying fast enough this WC, eh.

I for one would like the game to just flow. Italy-Germany game was the pefect example of how a football game needs to run at this level.

I find this decision unacceptable. If it had been the other way round, Materazzi would have been suspended for 6 months (because we all know that italians are cheaters, divers, liers, bla bla bla), and Zidane would have received a public apologie and an honour mention (because who would believe that such a gentleman would say anything offensive to an after all cheater, diver, etc. person that for sure deserves it?).

Give me a break. FIFA has to punish for a specific situation, not for the reputation.

How many times players have been suspended for physical reactions to provocations? Many, many times. When in the history of football the verbal provoker has been penalised??? NEVER as far as I know.

I am neither french nor italian and I like Zidane. So what? In this ocassion Zidane had to be punished, not Materazzi.

We still can say that Zidane is a master. But this time he behaved very very bad.

It seems to me that FIFA decisions lately are taken under pressure and with the intention to keep all parties happy.

FIFA: You know what? This is not possible. You have to do what you have to do, like all of us.

PD: Will this be taken as a jurisprudence matter? So from now on players will claim to be provoked verbally and the provoker will be penalised? So the field will be empty in 20 minutes. And how will it work? “Mr. Referee, please help me, this ugly guy called me an idiot!! You have to give him a red card!!!!”

OMG FIFA!!! How many whiskies you get before taking these decisions????

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND FRENCH FAMILY VALUES …TO UNDERSTAND MR ZIDANE’S ACTION…..A MAN WHO WON ALL THERE IS TO BE WON IN HIS SPORT….WHO HAS NOTHING TO PROVE ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH….DEFENDING HIS MOTHER’S HONOR WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS NATION SPORT OR TEAM…FAMILY COMES FIRST….HE APOLOGIZED TO THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD WHO SAW THE ACT…….WATCH FOR HIM DOING PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE KIDS……
I’M AMERICAN BUT RAISED WITH FRENCH FAMILY VALUE…. SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MY MOTHER TO MY FACE…AND PAY THE PRICE…..
MATERNAZI SHOULD KISS FIFA FOR BANNING HIM SEPT 6 …PLAYING IN PARIS IS TOUGH !!!I DOUBT THE RITALS. WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!!!!!
CASSER LES RITALS DE MES FESSES

kasets, I have to agree that this sets a difficult precedent, but having said that Claude’s point that if this signals the start of FIFA cleaning up the game with more post-match suspensions and fines for unsportsmanlike behaviour and less yellow cards on field for petty infringements then I have to say its a good thing, now they just need to start using the videos after the games!

On the nature of the sentences, I think ZZ’s was too light, given that he has a record of many red cards and suspensions. Its hard to say about M given that we have so little information, but I’d say its too harsh – probably a fine would be more appropriate if anything, I’d be much more comfortable with FIFA handing out suspensions for things like diving, dangerous play and abusing or pushing the referee than merely yelling insults.

Final comment, on the fines these are ridiculously small! A one game suspension should carry a fine of 1 week’s wages for the player imho.

FIFA ’s ruling doesn’t make any sense.

Now maybe we will have judges asking convicted murderers what the victim did or said to offend them.

“he made fun of me and called me a baby”

“Therefore, I had the right to pick up the gun and shoot him.”

Get real. We are only making excuses for the stupidity and violent behaviours of idiots like Zidane. We aren’t dealing with children here, these are ADULTS!!!!

This wasn’t his first headbutt(try 2 others before this one) and he stomped on a Saudi in the stomach also. He has had at least 14-15 red cards(I am including double yellows=1 red) in his career. So he is no angel.

This was done cause the RACISM card was played and when they figured out it had nothing to do with racism: they made Zidane save face by punishing MATRIX. Zidane’s punishment is non-existent as he’s going to retire anyways. The French team should be punished in another way-somehow. This is a joke!!

I guess we should go back and look at the TOTTI spitting incident. Maybe he was provoked or taunted. Why was nobody crying back then?? wonder why??

I think they should make the Zidane incident a video for the FIFA FAIR PLAY theme: remember “actions speak louder than words!”

P.S if ZZ’s headbutt was a little below the ribcage he could have killed Matrix or caused some serious damage. He should be ashamed to have the Golden Ball award and if he had any class left- he would give it back to players with real class-Cannavaro, Buffon .

”

I find this decision unacceptable. If it had been the other way round, Materazzi would have been suspended for 6 months (because we all know that italians are cheaters, divers, liers, bla bla bla), and Zidane would have received a public apologie and an honour mention (because who would believe that such a gentleman would say anything offensive to an after all cheater, diver, etc. person that for sure deserves it?).

Give me a break. FIFA has to punish for a specific situation, not for the reputation.

How many times players have been suspended for physical reactions to provocations? Many, many times. When in the history of football the verbal provoker has been penalised??? NEVER as far as I know.

I am neither french nor italian and I like Zidane. So what? In this ocassion Zidane had to be punished, not Materazzi.

We still can say that Zidane is a master. But this time he behaved very very bad.

It seems to me that FIFA decisions lately are taken under pressure and with the intention to keep all parties happy.

FIFA: You know what? This is not possible. You have to do what you have to do, like all of us.

PD: Will this be taken as a jurisprudence matter? So from now on players will claim to be provoked verbally and the provoker will be penalised? So the field will be empty in 20 minutes. And how will it work? “Mr. Referee, please help me, this ugly guy called me an idiot!! You have to give him a red card!!!!”

OMG FIFA!!! How many whiskies you get before taking these decisions????”

Rain that’s a perfect post.
For all the ones who say insulting, diving, fouling are ruining the game I say they are part of the game they always have been part of the game. What’s ruining the game is FIFA and its fake moralisation of football.
Stop the red cards addiction, it’s ruining the game. Football is dirty and ugly still it’s the beautiful game and that’s the way it’s got to be.

Its favouritism at it’s worsed..AND…

What conclusions should we draw from the numourous “lipreaders” employed by various country’s newspapers and their NOW BOGUS claims of racist comments?

I remember when the attitude of everyone invovled in sports was “May the best man/team win.” I saw it evolve to “It isn’t a foul unless the ref calls it.” Then, “The refs can’t call EVERYTHING.”

I watched soccer/football go from a beautiful game of skill, precision and creativity, to a game of dishonesty, actors and bullies.

They call it “gamesmanship.” (”Sportsmanship” is a term I’m not sure many people even know anymore.) Gamesmanship has increased injuries and decreased quality of play.

Are the days of watching graceful athletes amaze us gone forever?

I’m pretty angry bout this ruling but at this point I dont even care much anymore. The World Cup win has been shadowed by this crap Zidane has caused.

One thing I’d like u all to ponder. In the criminal system, all criminals are punished more severely the second time they commit a crime of the same nature right? Zidane has already headbutted someone before. He received a 5 match ban for that and only a 3 match ban for this. How is that possible? he has proved that he learnt absolutely nothing from the last time and although the ban is only symbolic, it should be MORE symbolic of what happened.

Ppl complained of too many yellow cards this world cup… prepare for PLENTY more and a LOT more controversy to come. Physical violence is almost ALWAYS provoked, ppl dont just walk up to eachother and headbutt them. This has started soccer on a road it should not travel on… Oh and one response to a little comment.

“hehehee at least the match-banning will affect materazzi and not zidane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?”

Actually this symbolic match banning will affect Zidane a lot more. He got the worse end of the deal menaing in the end it has been decided that he was more wrong. Also many ppl say this has “stained” his career. hether u think it did or it didnt ur STILL gonna have to hear ppl talk bout it.

As for Materazzi he may miss 2 games… but this doesnt really matter much. The real defenders are Cannavaro and NESTA, Materazzi is a sub that Italy does NOT enjoy using becuz he does have a tendancy to play rough. And Nesta is renowned for his talent. So he’ll miss the first 2 games, but he wont be needed for them anyways so PFFT *sticks tongue out* lol

To those who are of the opinion that the sentences metered out to Zidane and Materazzi are unfair for one, lenient for the other, or vice versa, allow me to say in reply: codswollop. If I have seen countless similar incidents to the Zidane-Materazzi one, and there was never the outcry as now. The final was just another game and the incident just another incident with the sentences very similar to those given where the game was not important. Let’s all move on. Zidane got what he deserved. Materazzi got what he deserved. Italy got what it deserved. France got what it deserved.

“Fifa is going to be very busy after this ruling on the Mat and ZZ issue.

Giving Mat a suspension for verbal provocation of ZZ sets a new precedent and will make the lawyers very happy. I knew i should have went into law. Now every time a red card is issued there will be a built in excuse of provocation.”

I don’t think so. It is a special case for two reasons :
1) Zidane is an all time great along with Pele and Maradona. A player of such clibre will not appear for another 10-20 years. Superstars get “special treatment” in every sport e.g Jordan in NBA.
2) In this case prvocation was preceded by a chest pinch. Only Materazzi could do something like this.

The root cause of Zidane-Materazzi episode was poor refereeing. The ref was a complete nut, as if refereeing in Alice in Wonderland.

He thought he conduct a game with Italy without calling fouls on physical plays. As a result Henry survives a scare in the 2nd minute, Zidane’s shoulder dislocation in the 70th minute, and unpsortmanlike fouls form the Italians throughout the game. There was no other way they could stop the Zidane, Ribbery and Henry.

In short, the ref was too naive. To referee games with teams like Italy, Netherlands, Portugal you need the smartest of refs who know how these teams operate. Probably someone like a jail warden would make a good ref for games with Italy, Netherlands and Portugal. He would know how to handle crooks and thugs.

Fifa has also made a mistake in not banning Materazzi for life. People like him belong in mental asylums, not in football fields or civilized society.

The root cause of Zidane-Materazzi episode was poor refereeing. The ref was a complete nut, as if refereeing in Alice in Wonderland.

He thought he could conduct a game with Italy without calling fouls on physical plays. As a result Henry survives a scare in the 2nd minute, Zidane’s shoulder dislocation in the 70th minute, and unpsortmanlike fouls from the Italians throughout the game. There was no other way they could stop Zidane, Ribbery and Henry.

In short the ref was too naive. To referee games with teams like Italy, Netherlands and Portugal you need the smartest of refs who know how these teams operate. Probably someone like a jail warden would make a good ref for games with Italy, Netherlands and Portugal. He would know how to handle crooks and thugs.

Fifa has also made a mistake in not banning Materazzi for life. People like him belong in mental asylums, not in football fields or civilized society.

“If Materazzi could get an opponent of Zidane’s skills kicked out of a game he would do it again and again and again. The ref. should have (assuming he heard the comments) given Materazzi a red card too. The NBA has eliminated the taunting and other sports need to do the same. There is an excellent article in Time Magazine this week about this incident. The article makes a very strong point that actions like this have no room in soccer. Also the wrestling, holding and shirt pulling on set pieces needs to be punished. By eliminating the taunting and tugging and actions like it soccer could really blossom. This world cup has shown what doing nothing will bring – phonoy injuries, diving, taunting etc. and that is dstroying the game.”

Good piece of writing Claude. Writers like you makes these blogs worth reading.

Keep up the good work!

“I remember when the attitude of everyone invovled in sports was “May the best man/team win.” I saw it evolve to “It isn’t a foul unless the ref calls it.” Then, “The refs can’t call EVERYTHING.”

I watched soccer/football go from a beautiful game of skill, precision and creativity, to a game of dishonesty, actors and bullies.

They call it “gamesmanship.” (”Sportsmanship” is a term I’m not sure many people even know anymore.) Gamesmanship has increased injuries and decreased quality of play.

Are the days of watching graceful athletes amaze us gone forever?”

Same goes for you Debbie Z.

Keep it up!

I really tire of poster who lament the loss of the ‘beautiful game’simply because their team lost. Look, the ref called a fair match, no matter what is/was said. For that matter, Thuram and Gallas play just as physical and bruising as any member of the Italian team.

But I digress, I found these punishments quite funny. Are we going to go back and find out what made Beckham kick at simone in ‘98? Or what made Totti spit in Euro 2004?

Closer to today…what caused Rooney to use Carvalho’s balls as a winepress? What was said to Derossi to make him try to break McBride’s nose? After Are you really going to tell me, that after making calls for the return of “the beautiful game” and for fair play and sportmanship, that Zidane’s incident warrants the punishment of Matterazzi because Zidane is a star on the level of Pele and Maradona? How does that justify or qualify ANYTHING you’ve tried to prove?

FIFA has once again messed up big time. They have put the iconic status of one player above the game, and are punishing others for his petulant behaviour. Football was great before Zidane, and it will continue to be great after Zidane, he is but one star (although he did shine brightly) in a constellation. I fear that this ruling will stymie football from now on, since ever player will believe he can appeal on these grounds in an effort to justify outrageous behaviour on the field.

I think if the comments were of a racial tone the ban on materazzi would have been fair, heck, then I would agree if he was banned for life, but as athletes, you learn to resist the taunts and let your skill speak for itself. If you are better, at the end of the day your ability silences the ones taunting you on the other team. That was a sign of true sportsmanship. What did FIFA’s ruling tell footballers?

jflo, you sure bring entertainment value :)

am just wondering if the only evidence against Materazzi was from Zidane and his own admission. If Materazzi had instead denied it and claimed he’d said something sarcastic like ‘nice header’, would he have gotten off the hook?

in this sense the only message/precedent might be to never admit to insulting someone after the match. (just a thought)

The entertainment is from you, Kruman with such inane statements: “I watched soccer/football go from a beautiful game of skill, precision and creativity, to a game of dishonesty, actors and bullies.”

Are you serious with such a definitive comment? One game with a result that did not please you and you think the “beautiful game” has ended. There will be more beautiful games to come than all the hot dinners you will eat. Your personal disappointment is eating you alive. You may want to stand still, but the world moves on.

The NBA ended the verbal taunting. The basketball floor was not empty because of it. There was not a plethora of technical fouls. The NHL put an end to the enforcers and rough housing. It used to be a favorit saying that “I went to a fight last night and a hockey game broke out”. Those days are gone. Hockey is now a lot cleaner and more exciting. If the NBA and the NHL cleaned up their act why can’t soccer. The players will learn rather quickly to shut up and play and stop the taunting. Your alternative is more diving and all the other crap we all complained about in this world cup. Tell the refs that verbal taunting is an automatic red card and this nonsense will stop quickly. Games should be won with athletic skill and the factor called “luck” but not by bad sportsmanship. Is that what we want our kids to learn to call your opponents sisters or mothers a bunch of whores?

“You too Brutus!”

Claude, you are right. US sports are years ahead of FIFA’s international football when it comes to rules and regulations to facilitate “healthier” contests.

You know what? The FIFA guys now became Magicians too!!!
The fact itself is selfexplanatory and rules are more than clear about this kind of behaviours.
Mr. Zidane (I still consider him one of the best players ever seen) was not new to this kind of reactions, but he made a pantomime on tv crying like a small kid and this was ridicolous but the FIFA decision was even worst……SHAME ON THEM!! Bunch of liers!!!
At this point I’m more than proud to be Italian.

If I am Brutus, Kruman, then you must be Caesar, an Italian. Strange? You have expressed nothing but disdain for Italians in almost every blog.

Nice one Brutus!

Hey I have said repreatedly that I have nothing by the highest reagards for Italians. It is just that I don’t like their brand of football.

There is a lot to life and to nations than football.

Remember, the Romans started pro sports to keep masses occupied.

Now don’t view this as an anti-Italian statement.

The title Caesar is too good for you, Kruman. You are the ideal Dromio of Syracuse – The bumbling, comical slave of Antipholus of Syracuse, a character in Shakespeare’s play Comedy of Errors.

Not surprised that you choose your likeness for me. You do remind me of Bozo the clown.

That is a boring repartee, Kruman. You are almost repeating me and you should know that what is repetitive is boring. If you are so bored that you cannot be original then do the boring thing and drive down town and get a great parking spot, then sit in your car and count how many people ask you if you’re leaving.

I have to remind you guys that Materazzi will subsequently be out for the Euro 08 qualif match between Italy and French. Did you get it? Blatter shows disrespect for Italy and Italians once again. THIS is racism. Please get this man relegated to some Deutch swiss shiny mountain village.

jflo

Well said, you are exactly right.

It looks like the soccer reformers are out in full force:

O.k how are we going to administer this no provoking , no foul language edict??

1) have all players miked so that everything they say can be heard , even if they mumble when the ref is not around. By the way ,1 ref on a huge field. Good luck hearing everything.

2) start hiring lip readers and interpreters cause that’s the only way we will be able to understand these guys when they speak in their mother tongues.

3) What should the ref do during a game when a player tells him ” he called me names and you missed it, ” Go to video replay maybe and get those lip readers working. Come on!! Now we’ll have tattletalers in FOOTBALL too.
4) Start setting up a whole host of FIFA tribunals all over the world cause the poor chap who gets red carded will want a full investigation into why he acted that way!!! Get real!!!

5) What should a player do if he feels he is being insulted in another language?Does he ask the ref to call the interpreter on the field so that they can sort things out.??

Remember the NBA has 3 refs on a smaller court , the NHL got rid of Fighting(sort of) but not trash talking.

This is a ridiculously huge endeavour and we should focus on other things like DIVING and refs not making the calls on this unsportsmanlike behaviour.

If they clamp down on these divers and shirt pullers I think the players will focus more on the game instead of vigilante justice( verbal and non-verbal).

Kruman, “it was the only way they were going to stop henry et al?” I have to take issue with this because it is rather shocking in its selctive postering. As if France does not play ‘games.’ Besides, the Italians shut down Henry, Zidane and company TWICE before in 2000 and 1998. France Football and L’équipe simply do not buy into this stuff. They were clear on their stance against Zidane and clear in their praise of Italy – as were every major soccer publication in four countries that I have read. It is CRAZY that Italy has to defend themselves like this both on the objective and subjecitve level. Unreal. You don’t like their brand of football? I’m not an Azzurri fan but what I see is a sophisitcated, smooth soccer nation. The problem is that it goes right over peoples heads. Sure, sometimes they struggle but who the heck doesn’t? The reality is that France can be contianed. They win bals but they hardly do anything with it. And don’t tell me that their offense was sound because it wasn’t. Without to beneficial calls they go nowhere against Portugal and Italy. I like French football – always have but this is absurd. Now, about the verdict. It is a complete joke. I wonder if France would have accepted this if the tables were turned. I wonder if they had won they would have made such a fuss. Materazzi broke NO FIFA LAWS and now suddenly he is fined? Are they making this up as they go along? Was this a way to use Mat. as a leverage to protect France’s favorite son? Worse, the Italians get screwed as Zidane retires and Materazzi can’t play Sept. 6? Where in the world is the justice in this? SPARE ME THE MORAL EQUIVALENCY CRAP FOR ONCE. JUST THE ACT. Zidane is the THUG. As it turns, there was no racial slur. Makes you wonder who the liars really were. Gallas couldn’t keep his own trap shut. It is clear he cracked. He had OPTIONS available to him. Slide tackling, confronting him at the end of the game etc. But no, Zidane went ahead and committed the most ’self-righteous selfish’ act this side of the Atlantic. Sure, it was a tasteless act what Mats. did BUT IT IS THE NORM. This is what it is people. NOw we’re going to hear all sorts of cry babies run to the ref with their skirts up about how a player made fun of his mother. Are you all prepared to watch refs crack down on this? Because if you are be careful what you wish for. You’re asking refs to rule with laws. FIFA won’t give the right resources to deal with this. They can barely handle an offside. This ruling sets a bad precedence and sends the wrong signal to kids. In other words, committ a foul, scream about how it was the provokers fault, deny accountability and watch the politically correct forces protect you. Such are our times and it reveals the pathetic mindset of FIFA. Here’s the skinny: Italy beat France fair and square. Enough about the ‘dominance’ of the French. Even if we concede this (48% to 47% ball posession. France’s shot ratio was inferiour to Italy’s.) sometimes great teams just find a way to win. Everything else about how they won is tenuous and selective subjective because heaven knows we don’t want to open that can of worms as we can apply this to many countries. Right off the top of my head I can think of at least 6 or 7 games in recent memory. It’s a dicey game. The one that sticks out for me (because everyone babbles about Brazil) was Rivaldo’s act in 2002. Do you think soccer is free of this sort of stuff? Do you actually think this won’t happen again? What is FIFA looking to accomplish with this ruling besides appeasing France and sweeping this under the rug? If I’m the ITALIAN SOCCER FEDERATION I APPEAL IMMEDIATELY and I would throw the Totti incidence in their faces. Measured against its own history Materazzi probably ranks at the bottom in terms of all time provoking acts. Zidane attacked another player! What part of ‘assault’ don’t people get? How is this any different than ,say, Bertuzzi? Yes, the NBA cracked down but now it’s all behind the refs back. Same in hockey and baseball and football. It’s something that can’t be rooted out. IT’S A NATURAL PART OF THE GAME. All these people lamenting about fair play are right but naive. No one cared about Poulsen towards Totti. I’ve seen FAR WORSE INCIDENCES in my semi-pro career and in my 30 years of watching and writing about soccer. The funny thing is that people actually single out the Italians! They justify it by saying because ‘they don’t like how they play.’ Rubbish. Rubbish, rubbish. Sounds hypocritical to me. Sorry, Kruman. While I appreciate your thoughts, my experience and knowledge just doesn’t agree with the assessment. One way to judge an opinion is to way it against other past actions and/or by reversing tables. Let me tell you: Italy is getting the short end of the stick. Will France ever return the Mona Lisa? A piece of art stolen from another country? Think about this.
Anyway, I know I was strong but it’s my opinion.

I strongly believe Materazzi used harsh words that warranted Zidane’s reaction. Who wouldn’t retaliate when pushed to the wall? For calling a fellow player a ‘dirty terrorist’ and cursing his mother and sister, I think these two points were enough to have resulted in that head-booting. There should always be room for peace, anyway. Materazzi should apologize to Zidane while the later should apologize to the fans that watched the ugly scene on that July 9th, 2006. Then, both should embrace and plead with world football fans to forgive them.

@Alex

Amen, Brother!

like your comment about the skirts!!

@ Alex

BRILLIANT!! Couldnt have said it better myself!!

@ Alex

I had to say it too! Good post.

@ Kruman

Ever heard?: there are none so blind as those who will not hear?

Lucky for you, ignorance is bliss… you keep thinking Henry got fouled in the first two minutes if it makes you feel better. I remember him running into Cannavaro (who isnt a dirty player) and crying like a baby cause he took too much drugs before the game and was overdoising (yes-speculation… but he IS A soccer player and that was pretty bad for just running into someone)…

I also speculate ZZ was on drugs and had no idea what he did when he did it…

Same thing with Malouda, since he tried to cly like Superman and realized he couldnt… Lucky for him they got a pk for his flying efforts…

And yes, lucky for you Kruman, that yes, ignorance, is in fact, in your case, quite bliss.

The rest of us have to deal with reality and bashers like you…

I’m not going to bash kruman and say he isn’ entitled to his opinion, cause he certainly is, along with any other Pro- Zidane supporters. I say ‘Pro-Zidane’ cause I’ve found that it’s more Zidane than France support. France is the team Zidane plays for and that’s why they are in the mix, but at this point in time Zidane is bigger than the French team, which i also think is unfortunate. Also, I can’t blame Kruman for his opinion…but I can blame FIFA for a totally spineless decision. What a horrible precedent. I guess we will see if it will be exploited by the players in upcoming tournaments. If Zidane can do it why not another player?

Nu ii poate spune nimic lui Materazzi . El l-a jugnit dar nu asa cum spune Zidane

Alex,

F’n brilliant man. Perfect assessment of everything from the whiny French to the anti-Italian FIFA. By the way, I guess it isn’t limited to the US where Italian Americans are the only ethnic group about whom it remains prefectly PC to denigrate. Cleaarly FIFA and much of Europe are the same way.

Thanks everyone. I consider myself a soccer fan above all. I love every country’s style of play – especially Italy. I see a lot of Team Canada in hockey spirit in them. Talented and winners. They will cut their hearts open to win. If England or Germany or France had won in this manner do you think we’d be having this discussion? Rather it would be about how the mythical legends Beuowolf, Bismarck and Napoleon rose to carry the honor of those nations. What a bunch of baloney. There were some spelling errors and one part about the FIFA refs should have read “You’re asking refs to rule WITHOUT laws.” Anyway, I’m glad most Canadians are looking at this correctly as we have had our own share of violent incidences in hockey. Not to mention that we are always on the receiving end of negative talk from European hockey fans whenever we win. I seem to recall that in 2002 Canada caught some major breaks from Salo’s error to the draws we got. No one rightfully cared as Canada brought home the Gold. Same here. Italy did what they had to do. The French can’t handle it. They caught some major breaks against Italy in the past and this time Italy got a break. Until FIFA’S degrading decision. Even when they lose the French manage to pull a fast one. Hey, they managed to hoodwink the world community into believing they are a world power after 1945 because De Gaulle babbled and screamed the loudest. Reward? A permanent UN seat and an eternal thorn in America’s side. Now it was Black Jacques ‘My name rhymes with Iraq’ Chirac who skillfully received les bleus and painted them as valliant victims as if they were invaded. It was the French PR machine at its finest. Unfortunately, local comunist Pat Hickey (I won’t even go near Jack ‘The Fraud’ Todd) of the Montreal Gazette failed to grasp all this. Middle-table journalists make me laugh. They bash Don Cherry and Todd Bertuzzi all day long but this one they feel FIFA did the right thing. They pick and choose where and with what they wil be cynical with. They act as if they are all perceptive yet can’t see the obvious political ploy pulled by FIFA. They have no clue how FIFA operates. I’m lucky as I have played in Europe and still have friends in France and Italy – so I’ve been schooled in the realm of corruption in soccer – it happens everywhere. Heaven forbid they ever side with Italy as the Canadian press still thinks – and this is just my perceptions judging how they write – they are in 1922. They rarely give credit to Italy for anything when it comes to sports. On an another note. Funny. All I hear about is how ‘negative’ Italian players are yet at the same time all the big clubs are looking to poach their players since the scandals. It seems to me if they were such scoundrels no one would touch them with a ten-foot pole. Such hypocritical talk dismays. One guy in Brazil is still upset (calling Italian soccer ugly) because Gentile marked Zico so hard in ‘82. What do they want? For teams to give them the World Cup? Besides, aren’t Dunga (in the past), Cafu, Lucio, Emerson and Ze Roberto somewhat hard players in the European mold? I read somewhere to smart quotes. One from England, “Materazzi played and Zidane got played.” Another from Italy, “An Italian buffoon turned a French hero into one.” Life. She is so precious sometimes. People have short attention spans and I agree with Vicki’s opening line about the blind. People pick their view and rationalize from that point no matter how faulty.

by the way, i meant ‘columnist’ not communist. sorry pat. you’re a fine sports writer just wrong about this matter.

Muddia, you’re right. Italians – because they don’t talk loudly. I know ironic Italians are somewhat flamboyant- are fair game. Yet, notice how everyone learns from the Italians secretly. Brazil quietly played an Italian stlye game and I suspect they will continue to do so. It’s years people in Brazil have been concerned about Brazil’s ability to produce boca bonita style players. I hope they continue. The French learnt how to cook and eat through the Italians. They all want the Italian stuff from their cars to their clothes to their motorbikes and bicylces to their food to their films etc. In history, the Holy Roman Empire was revived because conquering Italy was the ultimate prize of legitimacy. It was THE country to invade – especially considering it was quite easy given that the Kingdoms had little chance of thwarting monarchies like Spain, France and Austria-Hungary. These countries are fond of bashing Italy yet they are the ones that came into Italian lands (left nothing to the Italians except maybe the French who did leave the concept of Parliamentary politics) only to absorb a civilization that was in many ways above theirs. Maybe this why Italy has such a poor image. They weren’t a military power by the 18th century and being able to provoke war was a way of showing you were superiour back then. They had nothing to teach Italians. And they certainly have nothing to say about soccer. This is not to say that Italy is perfect. God knows they can learn a few things from place like England (and vice versa). Major problems afflict Italy. There are many aspects of their country that are not impressive. But the anti-Azzurri and by extension Italian spin has no intellectual merit. It still exists today albeit in different ways. Whenever I hear people bash Italy I see ignorance and jealousy. It makes me quiver with joy. I just thought of something. Arragones has OVERTLY MADE RACIST REMARKS. Where’s his penalty?

@ Alex

Maybe we should help FIFA develop IFCC (the international fifa criminal court), cause they’re definitely going to need it once those red cards come flying out:

To help them implement their precedent setting, completly moronic ban on insults and provocation we should come up with some suggestions for enforcement:

I have mentioned a few in my previous post such as sideline lip readers, putting mikes on players, interpreters, anger management councillors, priests confessing players on the sidelines for their wrongdoings, forensic scientists that look for opposition fingerprints on the other team’s shirts,not to mention lawyers(lots and lots of lawyers).

We could possibly make a compilation of what would be required to enforce this stupid EDICT and then send a FRENCH translation to FIFA for their enjoyment. Wouldn’t that be funny!

Our cover page could include a picture or video of the BULL Zidane trying to ram a hole in Matrix’s chest followed by the title: FIFA’S NEW FAIR PLAY POLICY!!!

Your Right Alex they will need the Criminal Court after that Moronic Decision to give Materazzi 2 game suspension.

Still waiting for ZZ to apologise to Materazzi and return the golden ball….but I guess I shouldn’t hold my breath for ZZ to do the Classy Thing

I meant Zantherman

ohh every one sign this

http://www.difendiamomaterazzi.it/

Its for materazzi and the injustice he recieved

Alex,
You are too beholden to to your preconceived notions to be objective.

It was a good attempt, but it was blatantly subjective.

Anyways, have fun and try to savor your teams victory instead of getting embroiled in vitriolic blogging.

This is it for me on the blogs.

Peace,
Kruman

Marco,

I think none of them should be defended… Neither Zidane nor Materrazi… Both are violent players with aggressive records, Fifa has decided to pitch the case as an example.

Just like Israel is crushing southern Lebanon, you will probably agree that it seems disproportionate at first glance, but it is actualy the result of accumulated aggressions from Hezbollah that drew Israel to retaliate so harshly at once.

Fifa is punishing two guys with bad records for silly moves during one of the most attended event on earth. I don t think we should turn the whole thing into Italian racism pseudo debate, it’s too shallow at a time we strive to build Europe.

Ribery…(good player I like him)

My Final thoughts on this topic. Ribery with repect I think you cannot be more wrong.

Fifa’s decision to punish Materazzi is shocking and shameful. It tells the football community (especially the children) that if someone says something to you that you dont like its ok to assault them.

DeRossi who elbowed Mcbride (obviuosly not with malice) in the US Italy game recieved a four game suspension. According to Fifa we should now look back on all the red cards issues during the world and investigate the provocation that must have occurred.

It’s to silly to even keep discussing this and as I said before Fifa should reverse it’s decision on Materazzi and ZZ should try and salvage some respect and do the honourable thing by apologising to Materazzi and returning the Golden Ball.

Ps…I dont think the conflict in the middle east should be brought into this. We are talking jus about sport…they are going through life and death struggles.

Materrazi insluted Zidane’s mother and sister. He insluted his honor in a cheap and dirty way. Please do not let your love for a team blind you from the actions of thug who was named the “animal” in the press of his own country.
And do not compare Zidane’s actions to DeRossi, DeRossi made the U.S player’s face bleed, and he was not even provked. Zidane had his shirt pulled his mother and sister insluted in a physical game on which the refree refused to use his card to stop the constant rough plays played….I respect your point of view and I congratulate Italians on the win, but this is my view

“you will probably agree that it seems disproportionate at first glance”

What about on the second glance?
Here you go for the action of those who you defend

http://fromisraeltolebanon.info/

old british saying, sticks and stones will break my bones but calling names wont hurt me.

Alex, bro, learn to use paragraphs or line breaks or something. Many people will just scroll right past a huge block of text like that with no breaks in it.

Nawaf, the difference is that DeRossi’s offense was not intentional. It was stupid, and by now he should know how to jump for a header while keeping his arms at his side, but nonetheless it was not intentional. You definately cant argue that for Zidane’s case.

Alex, I’ll be another one to congradulate you on some good points. You actually showed some sort of insight, so unlike Kruman, I’m not gonna congradulate you simply for agreeing with me. That being said, we should DEFINATELY be having some wild applause for Kruman right now. He went through a WHOLE blog without going into some crazy mythical rant about how “Zidane is a lion.” Congrats.

Zantherman, I think you’re totally right too. There is absolutely NO way to police trash talk without microphones. But then again, they wouldnt be ALLOWED to review these microphones anyways! I mean LOOK! They cant even review plays that NEED reviewing such as the Malouda dive in the box, or even as far back as the Maradona “Hand of God” goal.

And congradulaions to those marvellously talented lip readers! They stated that Materazzi clearly said Zidane’s mother was a “terrorist whore.” But then it was stated by Zidane himself that it wasnt racist. Can anyone decipher this little tidbit of info?

Why does it always say some of my comments are “awaiting moderation” :-S

It’s not as if I’m like an abrasive and offensive person

Zidane is a thug.

He couldn’t score.

His team lost.

Italy is the best team in the world.

Italy has the best defense in the world.

Zidane, unable to score, freaked out and took it out on the nearest guy, also, the guy who made Zidane look decidedly average.

Every team fears playing Italy because the Italian defense is almost unbeatable.

Think Zidane’s a superstar?

Take a look at Cannavaro… He made Zidane look like a man wandering around holding a limp twinkie.

Zidane looked really impotent.

Materazzi on the other hand scored a beautiful goal, thug or no thug.

Only a sad little man headbutts someone because he can’t score.

Maybe Zidane needed some Viagra?

I can’t believe how you people are defending Zidane!

He should have been stripped of the Golden Ball.

He’s almost an animal.

He just couldn’t control his emotions…

If he had a gun, he would’ve killed someone…

Some hero!

Why was my comment removed?

There was nothing offensive in it.

I merely stated I thought Zidane acted like a thug.

Do you know censor people you disagree with?

Shame on you!

The best of Materazzi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXJvnYBpFpY&mode=related&search=

Kruman… that video doesn’t really show much. The first one was clearly an accident as was the third one (i think it wa sthe third one). The rest is just Materazzi being dumb.

He’s anything BUT a graceful player, us fans all know that. But the video merely shows some basic fouls caused for the game and not for personal reasons liek Zidane’s foul. The second one shown in the video was definately Materazzi being dumb, but he would not, and could not gain any advantage from this? he’s just dumb.

Where’s the video of him INTENTINALLY hurting another player for personal reasons? I’m sure u’d find a few with Zidane

Kruman

I never met you before but its pretty obvious to me that you went to school on the small bus.

ZZ apologise and return the golden ball.

4 stars

Nawaf,

Do you have any hard evidence other than Zidane’s testimony that Matarazzi insulted his mother and sister? If so, please bring it forth so we can all see, if not, your opinion is purely speculative and has no truth to it.

The only evidence we have is video replay that shows Zidane assaulting Matarazzi. What else do we have? FIFA will not release the full testimony of Zidane or Matarazzi. Why? Why supress evidence that makes Zidane’s case against Matarazzi stronger. What is FIFA hiding?

I think Zidane killed Kennedy. He was the second gunman on the grassy knoll.

Hello folks,

Here is my best move ever ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDFRQwRFRw&search=materazzi

Enjoy

go football:
Its not my opinion, its what the video shows (he is being insluted, walking away, then turning back to hit Materazi). Materrazi himself confesed to having insluted him. Zidane himself confesed to being insulted. Beckenbaur stated that Zidane MUST have been provoked. Buffon (italian goalie) stated that he knew zidane well and that he must have been insulted (provoked.) Thuram stated that Zidane was insulted. The Fifa said he was insulted.
What more evidence do you need to know?? Do you have to hear the exact ugly words to make sure that its true?!
One would not make great honor by repeting insults to someone’s family (there were grave enough that the Fifa refused to retell them).
We all know that Zidane acted in revenge for insults (I mean Materrazi himself said he insluted him – And also said that Zidane deserved the Golden Ball – but thats irrelevant here)
Again, don’t let your love for your team blind you from the truth

Go football,

LOL…Sure, and he was also involved in the Kennedy’s brother plane crash, The Oklahoma city terrorist bombing and the twin towers and pentagon terrorist attack…

I know it all since I was his mentor!

He must be really good, indeed the CIA and the FBI haven t caught him yet…shame

Go football,

LOL…Sure, and he was also involved in the Kennedy’s brother plane crash, The Oklahoma city terrorist bombing and the twin towers and pentagon terrorist attack…

I know it all since I was his mentor!

He must be really good, indeed the CIA and the FBI haven t caught him yet…

Mama mia, zidaaaane… you own me, you deserve the golden ball, you are the best player ever, i am not worth any of your slighest consideration… I am begging at your knee, please spare my miserable life…

Mama mia, zidaaaane… you own me, you deserve the golden ball, you are the best player ever, i am not worth any of the slighest consideration… I am begging at your knee, please spare my miserable life and I will worship you till the judgement day…

Nice Nawaf….

now go and thanks your Hezbollah terorist friends for that…..

Hezbollah took Lebanon hostage & attcked Israel KNOWING that Israel will just have to retaliate….

Hezbollah not only don’t care about fellow Muslim arabs, but are the source of all that misery & killing.

Without the useless hate-filled provocative attcks of Hezbollah, those people in those pictures you posted, Nawaf, would still be ALIVE.

Hezbollah deliberately chose the terriry of fellow Arab civilians to launch thier vicious attack, WANTING the retaliation of Israel to rally support from the rest of the world for victims of Hezbollah’s own making.

Put the blame where it belongs, Nawaf. Don’t ley all that venom choke your brain.

Guys,

Try and keep it to football, please.

So guys,once again on Zizou.
He is a great artist of football but nevertheless he made a big mistake and kept it going on with his childish show on the french tv.
That was really ridicolous and it’s my opinion that there is something else behind his attitude and the FIFA (i.e. Mr. Blatter) decision.

Anyhow, my dear french friends, something more about Materazzi’s desqualification:
- he is n° 2 in his role, n° 1 is Nesta, eh eh eh eh!!!!

http://www.bastardidentro.it/node/view/18955

the Materazzi shall rise again

zidane :aslında bu işlere gelmeyecek adamdır eger materazzinin dedıgı sozler dogruysa bende zidanın yaptıgını yapardım fakat zidane gibi bır futbolcunun bunu yapmaması gerekır

Footballer jailed for Zidane-style headbut

A Staines Town FC footballer who headbutted an opponent in a Zinedine Zidane style “moment of madness” has been jailed for two months

nice going zz…

Zidane is the best and the true champ. Rest is all bul*sh*t