Zinedine Zidane Wins 2006 World Cup Golden Ball

apparantly C. Ronaldo didn’t get best young player for his winking and diving, but Zizou gets golden ball despite headbutting !?!?!? FIFA yet again should hang their heads in shame

Wow. That’s ridiculous. Cannavaro was robbed.

Zizou is great even after that ugly episode. Let’s pay respect for him. A sad end for such a great footballer career.

he is/was a great player no doubt, but he was suspended from one game in this competition AND headbutted someone in another, FIFA’s credibility has sunk to a new low.

What a wonderful decision. No doubt that he was fantastic during the turnment. We never forget his outstanding performance in the match between France – Spain and France – Brazil.

Zidane deserved it. Italy may have won the world cup but they lost the respect of people around the world for their infamous racist comments. No doubt about it, the winner of this world cup is a fluke.

What a wonderful decision. No doubt that he was fantastic during the turnment. We never forget his outstanding performance in the match between France – Spain and France – Brazil. He

At least the media got this award right. After seeing their all-tournament squad I honestly wondered if they even watched the matches. Cannavaro is a nice little player, there may even be room for him near the end of the bench on my team. But Golden Ball? Please… If you need to give it to an Italian give it to Buffon, he’s the reason they’re celebrating. But Zidane was the dominant player of this tournament beyond a shadow of a doubt.

What a wonderful decision. No doubt that he was fantastic during the turnment. We never forget his outstanding performance in the match between France – Spain and France – Brazil. He really deserve this award.

Zidane was great at times in this tournament but frankly I don’t think his play was good enough to merit him winning the award. Perhaps members of the media saw it as an opportunity to honor a player who has been great throughout the years, but I think they made the wrong choice. I would have gone with Cannavaro.

we dont want ur damn opinion.keep it to ur self, zidane is a legend

alternative: Deco for portugal, copped a red card, but nothing like Zidane’s!

Personally, I believe Cannavaro should have gotten the award because he had been the most outstanding player in the tournament. Zizou winning the award is just mere consolation for missing out on the top prize. I am sure that head butt will hunt him for the rest of his life.

Zizou deserves the award as he is a great player and ended his career leading his team in to the finals. Th red card does not change the fact that his world cup performance was great – One swallow does not make a summer. Headbutting is wrong and Zizou was punished which was fair. Materazzi on the other hand plays foul game by verbal abuse and got what he deserved.

so thats what i’ve been smelling. fifa must be from france. he should be arrested for assult.

Sure Zidane was a shady choice after the incident but I can understand why… he is a great play he had great moments in the tournament and I’m sure he was provoked by some racist comment about his Algerian background. That’s the only thing I can imagine would upset him so much. But saying Cannavaro was robbed is a little much.. I barely noticed him in this tournament and I watched every game. If any italian player lets say Buffon is the one who might feel robbed, but he has this thing called the World Cup trophy so I hope he’s not too upset.

MATERAZZI GODDAMN A HELL OF A MONSTER OMG!!?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJPKM5aJGW8&search=Materazzi%20

The wonder Zidane headbutt him.

kwang “infamous racist comments”
enlight us what kind of comment have you heard?

see thé action of Zidane at http://www.oskarlewis.com
and a collection of highlites of his carreer
oskar lewis

Man, defenders just get no respect. Cannavaro was robbed.

The best defenders are rarely noticed, but former defenders can usually spot the superior play when a defender is playing well. Cannavaro was always superbly positioned and every tackle seemed to be perfectly timed.

Why do you think the best keeper in the world, Buffon, rarely had to make a spectacular save?

Zizou is a great player, but played in streaks of brilliance in this tournament, with only one really spectacular game (Brazil). Cannavaro was a rock throughout the whole tournament.

I have seen zidan plays during the years, he never did such a thing as he is a profesional player. I have no doubt that Materazzi has said something about his Algerian background to upset him. You will hear the complete story soon from him.

Bravo Zidane, the people voted the people spoke and they were heard. Well done you deserve it

Yea, what an “outstanding” headbutt.
FIFA should stop embarrasssing themselves with such awards.

Jodido: I think you hit the nail on the head.

Jack: Shaddup. Bob is the reason you can post here.

ZIDANE IS THE BEST PLAYER AND DERSERVED THIS HE SHOULD STILL STAY SHAME THAT HE IS LEAVING I CRIED LAST NIGHT BAD ENDING FRANCE SHOULD HAVE WON, AND ZIDANE DID THE HEADBUTT CAUSE OF THAT ITALY PLAYER SAID SOMETHING BAD ABOUT HIS FAMILY OR SOMETHING OTHERWISE WHY WOULD HE DO IT, HE AINT STUPID DONT U FANS REALISE

funny.

3 yellow cards
1 red card
disallowed from playing in 2 matches out of 6…

he let down his team. simple as that. in a team sport ,he let his sense of self get the better of his commitment to his team.

Now if that does not describe the ideal qualities of the ideal footballer , i dont know what does.

this nomination is a victory for fair play. All hail FIFA.

What was Zidane thinking??!!!!

Materazzi is gay. He pinched Zidane nipples as tv replays have shown.

How do respect defenders like that to win golden ball when they supported that kind of mad insane tackles ?

Zidane should’ve gotten it in 1998, but it was given to Ronaldo that time because Zidane received a red card in one of the group matches.

It was clear that FIFA disallowed players who received red cards to be the player of the tournament. Why all of the sudden they bend the rules? If they want to honour Zidane, they should give him a lifetime achievement award or something like that, not the 2006 Golden Ball.

On a sidenote, Portugal the most entertaining team? Seems like FIFA wants to ensure that everybody gets some consolation prize.

Zaidane walked past Materazzi and kept walking, but this foul mouthed said something that must have hit a high nerve with Zidane to have him come back with so much anger. Fifa must investigate the incident. This incident must not be let gone like that. And if it is proved that Materazzi said something racist to Zidane, his medal should be taken away

Cannavaro roped! Are you guys serious? The only itlalian player that deserves an award is Buffon, which Zidane made him look like a clown with that PK

Zizou deserves the award as he is a great player and ended his career leading his team in to the finals. Th red card does not change the fact that his world cup performance was great Headbutting is wrong and Zizou was punished which was fair. Materazzi on the other hand plays foul game by verbal abuse and got what he deserved.he,s a legend.Thank’s zizuo.

Interestingly, according to a BBC article (http://tinyurl.com/qz5y7) the vast majority of the votes for the best player were cast before the final was over. That should explain why Zidane was given the award despite of the head butt.

Ale Nesta: nothing at all is known about such alleged insults,the only facts are Zidane’s fouls present and past. But he is an arab hero so they immediately played the islamophobia card

Be patiant, Zidan will talk about it this evenning on TF1

Don’t forget this is the ADIDAS Golden Ball given to… ZIDADIDAS of course.

Every true amateur of the game saw that Cannavaro would have deserved it. But PUMA is ADI’s biggest ennemy, especially in Germany.

In a WC dominated by defenses over offenses, where the top scorer has only 5 goals and where for the first time a team was eliminated without conceeding a single goal, the best defender should have gotten the award.

I’m not a big fan of Ronaldo but he was in the running for best young player and lost because of his diving and theatrical antics. The technical study group didn’t enjoy his lack of sportsmanship and gave the award to Podolski.

Wow! Mr. Zizou practically tries to drill a hole in Materazzis chest with his head and he gets rewarded with MVP of the tournament?? Yeah Right!!

Maybe the technical study group really enjoyed his headbutt and came up with this video to promote fair play or running of the bulls: well at least one of the two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Rc8fnS_rw

@kwang

There are no racist words pronounced by Materazzi. You are not well informed!!!
Zidane is a great player but yesterday made a mistake! And italians are NOT racist. Materazzi plays with people from all over the world in INTER MILAN and everybody knows that he is not racist!!

Gardian newspaper : Materazzi called zidan a African terrorist.

I’m glad Zidane head butted that panzy. Italian players are the biggest cry-babies on the face of the planet. I’ve played against Italian cry-babies and floppers, just like the ones at the World Cup level. Good for you Zidane!!

Italians can never keep their mouths shut. Any harsh comments can make a rationale person snap. ZZ, too, should of used one of his famous kicks on MM while he was down. Italy won the cup, but all cameras and headlines were on Zidane. Despite the 2-minute event, ZZ was praised after all.

I didn’t know that the gardian newspaper was with a microphone on the field. After being called by the BILD newspaper parasites and Mafiosi , there is another nespaper full of lies!!!
According to another newspaper Zidane has insulted Materazzi several times during the match but there is nothing about it on the Gardian newspaper.

Cannavaro wins the award not just for how he played but for how he carried himself.

Zidane is an embarassment. Of course to justify his completely unsporsman’s behaviour, now everybody is SPECULATING on what Materazzi said.

Materazzi scored the only goal on France and the only REAL goal of the game guys.

Zidane is pathetic. He has headbutted another player in Spain in a similar fashion.

He is a coward.

Kwang from Singapore: Do you want to go and research Zidane’s career and see how many legs he has injured?

Let’s not forget that, yes, Zidane was also suspended for two games.

France was great against Brasil, but that was it.

Against Italy, Zidane scored on penalty given for a dive.

African terrorist ? If that is true , then Zidane is dumber that I previously thought.

I mean, being called african is surely not an insult…. and as far as the second part goes…. Just how hard is it to ignore such an absolutely baseless statement ? A person of Zidane’s class and pedigree should have no issues in just ignoring such an absurd and laughable comment from someone like Materazzi who is in comparison a novice. That was not even mildly provocative. Usually statemnts should have at least modicum of truth to evince any reaction at all…

A very good point:

How can a player get the golden ball while he is the first ever in WC history to get 2 red cards in the same tournament.

Fair-play and consistency were forgotten.

ZZ was outstanding in only on game (vs. Brazil) otherwise he was pretty average. While Cannavaro, Buffon & Pirlo played consistently the whole tournament.

Italians can never keep their mouths shut. Zidane should have used one of his famous kicks, too, on him. Despite the 2-minute event, all cameras and headlines are on Zidane. Italy may have won the cup, however that is just the cause of the moment. Down the road, Italy’s victory will be forgotten but not Zidane’s.

Cannavaro deserved it.

Zidane is one of the most respected and beloved players in the world of soccer which considers him to be one of the all time greats. His action was regrettable, but there had to be a strong comment, like a racial reference to him being algerian (arab), to provoque it

Louis, you are speculating.

That’s great if it makes you feel good.

But you are speculating.

Italians had to deal with people of all nationalities crossing its borders since times immemorable.

I find it hard to believe Materazzi would make such a comment.

Its amazing how after the ONLY good game he had against Brazil, ZZ can get this award. France played its best game when he was out. ZZ was mediocre throughtout the whole tournament and culminated the whole tournamnet by raming his head into an opponent. Way to set the standards FIFA. Now, where is that Fair Play Banner that I saw so much ?????

Shame on all those who voted Zidane as player of the tournament…But they got no balls to vote a defender…Cannavaro by far is the player of the tournament and he received not a single card in the tournament…Unlike some players who got suspended for one game and then sent off in the Final!! Shame!! But it doesn’t matter, Cannavaro is the hero at the end of this and Zidane will always be remembered as a sore loser…

FIFA gets more and more ridiculous after every tournament. The only real question now is: how bad will it get after WC 2010?

What a golden ball~poor Cannavaro and Pirlo

I don’t care what he said, Zidane is a veteran player who knows better (or should) then to let verbal crap get to him. You get even by beating the other team. DUMB move. I mean REALLY stupid.

Obviously the award was decided before the final…talk about egg on the face of FIFA. Nice gaffe.

It’s Zizou! I salute him; but I and I think he’ll agree, his reaction to what was said to him by Materazzi [must have been racist - I can't think of another explanation]- his head-butting is indefensible.

I remember the theme for the entire soccer world cup centred around us responding to the scourge of racism in our modern global society. As a South-African growing up under Apartheid, I know firsthand how it is to be on the receiving end of racism.

Internatinally, on a governmental level, far from enough is done to erradicate the scourge!

As for me Zidane is the man for the 2006 World Cup Golden Ball
award.

I will not forget him walking past the Cup. In that moment it simply did not exist for him and might as well have been a tree or a lamp-post. This is what people cannot get their head around. He may as well have been walking off a derelict piece of waste ground after a kickabout with his mates. And I think all kids in tough neighbourhoods know exactly why he did what he did….Maybe his lasting lagacy will be that there is no ‘let us all be joyous and walk into the Sunset of the World Cup holding hands’ until this racist animal is excised. And the reactions of the French players said it all too. They knew exactly what he had done and why, and they were not angry with their Zizou. Self-respect comes before the World Cup.

We will only start getting over this when the Azzuri have a player of colour in their starting 11. Last time I checked it was 2006 right? Fifa need to put penalties in place that actually have bite (aka the Spanish Manager and Henry)…

I agree…Ronaldo does not win the young player award..not because of his skill, but because of his antics…But Zidane wins and award after he clearly head butts another player.

That does not sound right!

Well, I think Danny’s wrong about saying “good for you zidane!!” What the italian said might’ve been something that we didn’t expect… Does it mean that Zidane should light up like that?? NO!! If you get mad, you end up out of this world… And those French fans out there we’re really dissapointed at him… He let his team down and Italia was the winner. Maybe if he wanted the golden ball award then he should be much more careful!! And by the way, f- you zidane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I hate u son of a b-…

“Bobs” comments concerning Zidane are wrong! Zidane carried France to the final on his back and regardless of his minor head butt. Stay with futbol is Moldavia or where ever the “D” league soccer you post on your CV. Better yet join the thespian society with the retiring Portuguese & Italian player. Add an “O” Bob and you ARE a “BOOB”

The voting was done BEFORE the headbutt.

woah! zidane is an idiot, end of. and portugal should have won! so im glad my roman catholiccountrey won footnall champions!

Zidane had a great performance against BOTH Spain and Brazil, not just Brazil.

I am devastated at what Zidane did in yesterday’s game, it was extremely disappointing to see him lose control like that. The Italian successfully provoked him. Materazzi had been all over him throughout the game, maybe he’d been saying things to Zidane throughout the match and finally Zidane lost control. I saw them exchange words a few times during the match. Also, the French team has been the target of racist taunts and insults since they first appeared by fans and pundits. Witness this entire blog these last 4 weeks — posters constantly ridiculing the French team for their racial makeup.

Also, by the time these players get to the final, they’re exhausted. Zidane had almost singlehandedly put his team together to improve past group stage (without much help from the coach). He was under enormous pressure, was exhausted, in pain, and had had to deal with racist taunts against his team throughout the tournament. The italians knew exactly what button to push.

But for a man of Zidane’s age and experience, a team captain, to lose control during a wc final…how can one excuse that?

At least if France had won, that would’ve compensated. France was the better team on the pitch — it was France that dominated, France that had ball possession the most, France that was on the attack the most. Italy was mostly listeless and in disarray, except for its vaunted defense — which is always what Italy does best. It is not a very good attacking team, it never has been. The winner yesterday was the team that plays boring, unattractive defensive football in the most defensive tournament in WC history. No wonder the attacking South Americans couldn’t advance.

what’s the use of arguing for this guy zidane and his headbutt .. Italy won the cup and they didn’t deserve it… Germany, Argentina… for their passionate way of playing football…. deserved the cup … no comments

The French newspaper L’Equipe claims that Materazzi called Zidane a “terrorist”. I think it’s still all wild speculation. Why won’t either of these two men involved in the incident speak? Their silence is liable to start a riot or get someone hurt somewhere while dangerous rumors abound.

How does Spain get a Fair Play award with their racist coach? Is FIFA or is FIFA not serious about dealing with racism?

Cannavaro deserved it. Really?? Everybody in Italia knows who is Cannavaro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EjsYGkuX1g&search=cannavaro%20doping

hey dear “must have been racist”,
“there had to be a strong comment, like a racial reference”, “verbal abuse” and so on.
Why don’t you give your real name so Materazzi can denounce you?
Noone said what happened between Zizou and Materazzi we just saw the HeadButt and for me is enough.
I know that Materazzi sometimes could be an asshole, but you want to promote the idea that Zizou is a saint.
As i wrote in another thread this is it’s 14th red card of his shining career.
6 years ago he earned 5 match of disqualification in Champions League for fracturing the cheeckbone of a Borussia Dortmund player with an headbutt (not original uh?).
So stop sanctifing him.
He has talent with the ball, but he can be a violent that doesn’t deserve an award from FIFA who lead a strong campaign against violence.

zidane was fantastic during the competition and well deserve the golden ball , his superior control over the ball and management the team work was absolutely unforgetable. Just look at his play against Spain and Brazil to realize why he won the Golden ball.

FRANCE WIN THE WORLD CUP??

ONLY ON PLAYSTATION!!

ITALY!!!!

I think my friends in Kuwait are cheering the Italian team only because it has the same color as our national team. Guys, Zidane does not need your approval for being the best player in the tournament. Look at his goal against Cassias and his PK against Buffon (two of the best goalies in the world) absolutely ridiculed with the master’s skills. So, what if the Italians have people crossing their countries and what not, you have to be really blind to say that racism does not exist in Italy, there was a video earlier showing that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44H89wyQRu8&search=football%20racism)

Zidane has a great relationship with all that surround him, including all of his teammates throughout his career. But we are also taking the blame away from what did Materrazi say to him!! Its easy when we behind our key boards to say what should have and could have he done differently.

Here is another video on the classless Materazzi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJPKM5aJGW8&search=Materazzi%20)
Its really suppressing of the ability of Italian football to continue to produce such dirty type players like Genteli, Materazzi, and Canavarro

Zizou may not be as dumb as he looked after being red carded by the ref…

What he may have been thinking is that there was no way France was going to score with Metarazzi on the field, so he may be thinking I’ll just injure him so badly he can’t continue and sacrifice myself as well. Hopefully, this wasn’t what he was thinking since this would justify an even harsher punishment from FIFA.

But don’t overlook the other HUGE embarrassment for the French. After Zizou had left the field, they continued to whistle and boo every time the Italians had the ball. Is this typical of what we can expect from the French when they can’t win “fairly”? They should save their anger for the player who turned his back on his team and resorted to one of the ugliest forms of “unfair” play that I have ever seen.

FIFA should immediately implement a policy that players red-carded in the final can NOT get the Golden Ball award. Clearly, Zizou should be stripped of this award after not even being man enough to return to the field after the game and offer apology to Metarazzi, his teammates, and the fans. I will forever think of him as “less than a man” for failing to acknowledge his actions.

Anyone who says Cannavarro deserved the award obviously didn’t watch the games and just listened to American announcers spout off the same info over and over. If anything, like a few others have said Buffon may have deserved the award and with one save won the Cup for Italy.

Where was the Italian central defense when Zidane ran free for that header that Buffon did very well to save? There wasn’t a marking back within 5 feet of him at about the penalty spot.

Italy’s defense had one impressive game against Germany. Otherwise, Italy beat up an injured Czech team without their main striker, a terrible US team, was completely disorganized in the back against Ghana and only a lack of finishing and skill prevented Ghana from having a better result. The Ukraine never showed up and Australia just isn’t on the same level as a team.

To pin the success of the Italian defense on Cannavarro would be a bad judgement. Heck, I thought Gatusso had a few monster games in the middle of the field.

Canavarro, excelent defense!

hey zidaneisking
ball possesion Italy 51% France 49%

Seb
woah! zidane is an idiot, end of. and portugal should have won! so im glad my roman catholiccountrey won footnall champions!

You’re a worthy LAZIO ’s supporter,aren’t you??? lol

He destroyed what he builded over a years ……but he got rewarded with a golden ball for headbuting a player
*****viva Italia *****

to all the angry and bad losers. you lost and that is it. materazzi hasa worsttemper that zidane. zidane was fooled like you are right now. their were no racist words say, you wish. you lost, zidane was selfish and dum for doing that, do not look for excuses because france might lieto itself, the rest of the world doesn’t.you should be happy that he got the golden ball because he might deserve it in france but nowhereelse. learn how to loose and respect smarter than you. ITALY won with acts not words and lies.

Please, please, let’s not focus on what Metarzzi MAY have said. Anyone who thinks there are NOT comments made during a game to attempt to make players lose their cool have never played the game.

This attempt to take the focus away from what was clearly visible on the replay is rediculous.

Note that ZZ has still not taken responsiblity for his actions and offered apology. Regretable and speaks volumes for the character of the man. Viva La Sad.

Zidane has not destroyed anything. He has not spoiled his legacy. It is 20 years since Maradona was at his prime and 12 years since he was sent home from the World Cup in ignominy for doping. Yet people still remember the greatness of Maradona. Many years from now they will remember the greatness of Zidane. They will remember too that he made a grave error, but the thing they will remember him for is his beautiful football. Vive Zizou!

Danny, do us all a favour and never watch another game of football as long as you live. Obviously you can’t handle it. Anyone who cheers the actions of Zidane are not football fans. Stick to wrestling buddy, you are truly pathetic.
PS Why don’t you go into an Italian neighbourhood and express your views.

The blogs are full of emotion and speculation, always present when politics, race, sports, money and religion are involved. This incident encompasses all of those things.

Unfortunately, racism & discrimination is everywhere, Europe, Italy, France, Germany,
Africa, USA. It’s an unchangeable part of the human psyche.

Materazzi and Zidane are proffesional footballer’s. On the greatest stage of the sport they must rise to the occasion and perform to their greatest abilities. Zidane is a play making midfielder whose presence on the field was critical to France’s hopes of winning. Materazzi is a physical defender and intimidator, part of his job is to get under his opponent’s skin and disrupt their game. Although not a honorable part of any sport, trash talking was not invented in the NBA or NFL.
While stationed in then West Germany, I played for a German 6th division team. During the 3 years I played, on numerous occasions I had a number of vile insults thrown my way by opponents and spectators alike.
Admittedly, the first few times I was very angry and retaliated. But after awhile, they became a source for amusement, but more importantly a great source of motivation.

Given his years of experience in the world game, and I’m sure Zidane has heard his share of ethnic slurs before if that was in fact what Materazzi did. You would assume Zidane would have learned to deal with this.
In no way am I condoning Materazzi’s behavior, but last night he did his job just a little bit better than Zidane.

An ugly epitath to Zidane’s fabulous career, and a ironic statement of FIFA’s feel good theme for the 2006 World Cup..
“Abolish racism”. The world is an ugly place, and the sports field is just a microcosm of society in general.

All this blah blah about what Materazzi said.

Zidane is a veteran, you tell me he didn’t hear insults in his life time.

He took advantage of his stature to do something completely pathetic.

By the way, the Italian players all had nothing but praise for Zidane’s career after the game. Whereas the French side could not say anything but how well they outplayed Italy, etc.

Great sportsmen these French!

By the way, in case you didn’t notice: Italy won.

Diogo,

Actually, France has won the world cup much more recently than Italia. Nice try.

Y suddenly all these muslim countries popped out and supporting zidane? His butthead…erm. headbutt action and gettin sent off is justified. Im from muslim country too but what I saw Italy was the better team to win tis WC Final, altho their qualifyin rounds were just as suck as France.

In the game Portugal vs france, we saw thw french coach with his arms saying that portuguese players were divers. In the final against Italy why didn’t he said the same about his player who simulated the penalty?
Zidane was well sent of after doing something very wrong. I believe Materazzi said something, but that’s no excuse.
But Zidane had his award, after win the best player of the world cup.
So, I say “Let’s kick FIFA out of football”.

and Im not racist

Thierry,

Not sure what roman catholic country has to do with winning..

No one know what transpired between the players but I have no doubt that Zidane was provoked..it is a strategy lots of players use. Zidane should know better than to be sucked in by any insults.

French players are bitter. William Gallas quotes after the game (quoted by AFP):

“Italians always act like this. It is a shame to say that, but when they feel they are being dominated they try to provoke you.

“Yes, they are cheaters, but we can’t stop that. Fifa and the referees only see the second act, they never look at why there is an incident.

“I accept when the adversary wins with honour, but that is not the case. We know Zizou, he doesn’t react like that, people can’t react like that, but he has been insulted.

“I think it was very grave. When you play against people like that you want to kick their ass. It is cheating, but they are Italians.”

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YOU WANT PROOF MATERAZZI ? HERE THE REPLAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NseFJTST4Tc

WHAT THE HELL HE DOING WITH ZIDANE NIPPLES ?

http://neszidane.ytmnd.com/

As I was watching the game I loved the way Italy played for the first 20-25 minutes and I was cursing them for the rest of the match for playing so badly. After watching some of the game again, I have to give credit to the French midfield for controlling the game.

It was not even a question of them winning 50-50 balls – they were just the first ones there.

I think Italy was tired from the semi-final and it showed but their defense held up under the onslaught.

Regarding Zidane, I know there must be more to the story and we may well never know what it was. It was a very unfortunate event. one that I could not have imagined before the game. I was also unable to reproduce the incident in the EA Sports FIFA 2006 PC game – so much for realism.

Join us at http://www.SoccerBriefs.com for additional commentary as the league seasons get under way in a couple months – and hats off to everyone here ar World Cup Blog – this has been a great read as the cup has progressed. Looking forward to more.

Joe Bellanti
Editor
http://www.SoccerBriefs.com

How can anyone say that France played better. They were bascially shot out. The replay showed thatthe PK should never have happened as there was no foul on the play. In fact, it was a dive as there was no contact. Also, when Toni scored, there was no offsides. The replay clearly showed Toni was even with the defender. The US play by play guy who was obviously pro France even acknowedged that it should have been a goal. That makes the score 2-0. The overtime, the only part of the game italy looked bad and tired never happens, and there goes the only good shot France had all day. Shame on the French fans for their behavior after the coward was ejected.

Its pretty clear that Materazzi did more than say somethinbg to make Zidane do that to him.

Zidane hurt his shoulder earlier in the game and Materazzi was probably whacking it the whole time.

Materazzi personifies the Italian playing style; dirty and fake. They elbow and push and shove and when an opposing player walks by them they fall down in pain.

They are basically a bunch of punks and its sad to see them win the World Cup that way, usually you hope skill and design will win as in years past, but not this year.

My hope is that 4 years from now Italy is knocked out early on and the enforcers on the other teams exact some measure of revenge.

I think it wouldve been nice to see Cannavaro win the Golden Ball. Especially after Zidane did what he did.

Pardon me, but Zidane lost all my respect. It doesnt matter what Materazzi said, the way Zidane behaved was classless and he did not deserve to win the Golden Ball.

Nevertheless, he actions were completely out of character. I used to think Zidane was a very classy player. But yesterday, I even saw him dive once or twice…

I think the entire French team was on drugs. This is my theory on why a bunch of old men (who were tired in the beginning of the tournament and suddenlt revived) didnt get tired and Henry was over dosing in the beginning of the match which is why he was faint for 5 minutes and Zidane acted so un characteristically. The look in his eyes was unnormal.

I could be wrong, but that is what I think. If so, it is a real shame.

I wish they had been tested.

Thank God Italy won after getting a pk against them (which I think wasnt deserved) and having a goal that couldve easily been allowed, be disallowed. (the offside decision, I think, couldve gone both ways… look at Brazil, they get offside goals worse than that allowed all the time)…

It is very disappointing to see what Zidane did. Extrememly unprofessional. He must accept full responsbility for what he did, regardless of what propogated it. It is a disappoiting exit to a brilliant career. I doubt that his red card caused France to lose – it was going to kicks anyhow. I feel he did deserve the golden ball – he really played strong; and he was the pivotal player on the French squad; they would not have been there without him.

The only other point I would like to make is I think the ref in the finals really let things go a little too much. I don’t like a game to be called too tight, however he really let them get a little too physical (particularly pushing off the ball). It really limited the scoring chances, and it really frustrated the players. Perhaps that is part of the reason that Zidane had a meltdown. Still, no excuse for what he did.

Hats off to Italy. They deserved it.

Italy stunk throughout the tournament. They never impressed me. They always win through acting and whining. Italy plays aggressively, but if you touch them they fall. They are great actors. This is soccer and the italian team should play soccer and leave the acting to real actors. Zidane’s action is not justified but the referee should have investigated what had transpired before zidane’s headbutt. I feel that both players should have been kicked out of the game. One for verbal assault and the other for physical assault.

Zidane what a clown. Lost his mind I guess! Well done to the Italians who got under his skin. Good defense really frustrated Zidane. He wanted to go out in a story bok way but went out classless.

a few questions:
1. what did zidane (yes you read right.. zidane) say to Materazzi?
2. did or did not malouda dive?
3. toni was offside or not?
4. how many goals did france score in the tournament? And Italy?
5. if Italy had not being awarded the pk against australia who would have won… and why?
answer the simple questions and you will automatically know who deserves to be the CHAMPION
…. I just forgot to ask what would have everybody said if instead of zidane materrazzi had headbutted somebody else??
kEEP IN MIND THAT zIDANE HAD BEING RED CARDED IN THE PAST IN THE 1998 WC AND THREE OTHER TIMES IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR HEADBUTTING…….
****
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HAHAHAHAHA I am WE ARE the champions OF THE WORLD ALL THE REST IS SENSLESS BS.
grazie AZZURRI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TETRA CAMPIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONIIIIIIII

alex: And not forgettin toni luca’s goal tat was deny bcoz of offside… tat was so untrue and video replays it only once so ppl won’t questionin so much bout it.

Zidane was the only player in the whole cup that showed something different. He dribbled, embarrased a few players, he killed Brazil and spain and the Italians couldn’t stop him. But either way I was happy Italy won cuz they needed to clear their image and plus look at the name (yeah it was Alessandro Altobelli but F… it)

VIVA MEXICO!!!

i do not think zizou deserved the golden ball in anyway, the media has stollen buffon”s glory. how can such an experience captain playing in a world cup final headbutt an opponent and then be rewarded with a golden ball. the world has not been fair to buffon. those who did the voting no nothing about football.zizou deserved more than a red card, he should have been striped off the golden ball. this is the worse happening in any world cup. SHAME ON ZINEDINE ZIDANE AND THE WHOLE FRENCH FANS FOR SUPPORTING FOOLISHLY AND BLINDLY.

As everyone in Canada knows and the USA is that what ZZ did in the World Cup is MUCH worse in the NHL Hockey.When some one pisses you off by saying some thing cheap or a Cheap shot,You just might have to Duke it out the old fashioned way.By fighting and another thing is in the NHL they don`t look up at the monitors and then make the call.Well any way ITALY won the game VIVA ITALY this time Congradulations BLUE.OHHH and by the way France…. THANX for taking Brazil out of the way for us….ITALY THE WORLD CHAMPS

I agree with ttjay. Italy winning this tournament is a shame for soccer as a sport. Italian soccer players have the worst sportsmanship year after year.
Zidane lost his cool but if matterazzi or macaroni did say racist thing toward the black French players, then I am behind Zidane 100%. I wish he headbutt landed on matterazzi’s mouth.
Atleast Zidane went out standing up for something rightous. He is a real man, Italian team had no real men except maybe for buffon.

they say zizou never acts like that? well he was getting frustrated tjat he could not crack the greatest defense the world has ever seen, that would frustrate anybody as for the french goal a gift from the ref that is why the second tackle was not called a penalty, as for gallas and the rest of them french loosers saying they outplayed the italians having the ball in the midfield doesnot mean your playing better

Italy’s win feels very random. This is the same team that tied the USA and almost lost to Australia. Either all the teams are getting better, or the good teams are getting worse.

messege to …..LiverpoolFC

perhaps youve been living in the boonies to long, hangin with the roos

Boy there are a lot of jealous people out there. Please before you comment, go back and watch the game again. The replay clearly showed that Malouda took a dive. Everytime Zidane lost the ball he acted like he had been mugged and fell to the ground. All the French players followed suit. Everytime the french got near the box they were more concerned with trying to get a PK then scoring legitimately. Whatch the game, they were falling all over the place in or near the box. Thats how they got there (see Portugal game) and they figured thats how they would win. We are all assuming that
Materazzi said some horrible thing to Zidane. If you watch the game, it looks like its is Zidane who started the talking after a play in which he was tightly covered. He was obviously fustrated, tired and angry and started the fight. I guess all the other players Zidane has attacked in the past were also at fault?

The 2 best team in this cup were Italy and Germany. Italy beat France and Germany would have also.

if this if that suck it up I thought you wankers were supposed to be tough

france is not a good team very lucky to be their portugal game another penaly awarded as a gift they played teams that had their prime years ago the usa a very good team would have loved to see france have their butts handed to them by the usa

he cracked your A– THAT WHAT FRANCE DID TAKING SHOTS FROM THE OUTSIDE DOES NOT MEAN THEY CRACKED THE DEFENSE

alex, Zidane “started talking” because Materazzi twisted his nipple.

AND BY THE WAY THEIR NO WAY IN HELL THAT HE WOULD OF SCORED WHIT THAT HEADER KNOBODY BEATS THE GREATAST GOALIE IN THE WORLD
HENSE THE GIFT FROM REF GIVING FRANCE A LITTLE SENSE OF LIFE

For everyone saying “Zidane must have been provoked terribly”, “you don’t get to be such a great star without learning self control” etc, remember that this is hardly the first time that Zidane has shown ugly rage in the game.

In the 2000 Champions League match between Juventus Turin and Hamburger SV, Zidane headbutted Jochen Kientz savagely, fracturing his cheekbone, and got a red card and three game suspension for it. And don’t forget how he he stamped on Saudi captain Fuad Amin, which got him a well deserved red card and a two game suspension.

Sorry, champions understand self control. Zidane was a great player, but he was no champion.

ZIDANE IS THE GREATEST PLAYER FROM THIS GENERATION!!! CONGRATS TO HIM WHAT A LEGEND WHAT A CHAMPION. .

Most of you italian fans forget that France got an obvious penalty waived…

No respect for Italy.

yup, the kangas will take it in 4 years…holy sheet what sour grapes, we all know why the comments from down under

suck it up

That son of a bitch italian provoked Zidane and Zizou acted like a man! The French team despite losing the cup is still the best team of the tournament.

at the same level as Maradona and Pele. LMAO

more at the level of hoodlum

I think that i have stated it before, the italian team was auwfully bad the entire cup, but when i saw what they did in the vs australia game, and how they were awarded a pk at the last minuted because of the acting stuff i said to myself this lowsy team will get the world cup cheating their way up. And they did! Not only cheating but a complete disrespect to the whole football fans. And it is right, what merit can a winner have it they don`t have the respect of the whole world?. Now is up to the real teams to recover the cup from the thieves and criminals. I can`t support violence, what Zidane did was wrong, he is no better than that infra human materazzi. But as a player it would take 1million italians to make 1 zidane.
This was the worst world cup in all time and i hope that the infiltrated italians mobsters in the FIFA leave or be arrested. So we can have a real world cup four years from now.
Down with the azzurri criminals.!!!!

Het Livercrap…go screw another roo, you uncultured bastard

Livercrap sure has a hardon for those roos

the criminals are in roo land or dont you know the history?

ignorant bastich

feel sory for the sheep down there

Guys, can you please quit posting in capitals? It is just the most infantile attention-seeking behaviour and was deemed bad netiquette way back in 1993!

From recent news it appears that Zidane was subjected to racist and possibly other serious slur and in that case I want to see an enquiry and disciplinary action.

Italy deserved the championship. I think that a team like the french, in which players take dives and clearly butt-head an opponent doesn’t deserve anything but what they got. Zidane cannot be awarded the golden ball, I don’t think he deserves it. He clearly made a mistake, even if he’s a great player. Canabaro and Bufon were the best two players of the world cup. Italy did not received a ligitimate offensive goal (an own goal against the U.S. and a unexistent pk against the frenchie) A DESERVED CHAMPIONSHIP AND NO ONE SHOULD DOUBT THAT. Actually anyone can doubt the outcome, but no the French or the french supportes, please. I know it hurts to loose a game like that, but the outcome was just and plainly FAIR.

As stated in my original post, racism is an undeniable part of human existence. The litany of rants on this blog sight is proof. Relax folks, football is still just a game. The game is over, Italy is world champion, and Zidane is still a great player regardless of his
actions. Events always dictate outcome, and whether the outcome is just or not is based upon perspective. Let’s leave the insults and and slanderous remarks out of this board and talk about the game & football.

racial slur or not, the team comes first and Zidane showed he couldnt keep it together.

coming from dingo land LMAO

dingos got your baby?

recent news ???
racist and other serious slur ???
pleasegive us the official source of it otherwise shut up and stop flaming

More important that winning is winning in style, the italian team doesn`t get that. Just cheating their way up. In the eyes of the entire world the italian team is just a bunch of mafia thugs.

Hope next WC we get to see a real team win the cup.

LIKE A MAN ZIDANE? YOU CALL HIM A MAN ONLY A PERSON WITH THE SAME VIOLENT TENDENCIES WOULD CALL HIM A MAN I MEAN YOU AMAN!!!

re reading your posts roo boy its obvious you are as racist as they come.

Racist comments dont make a champion… nor does a top player losing his cool on the pitch.
Both teams playd well…

Ciaou

Zidane shouldn’t win the World Cup Golden Ball. Ok that he is a great player, one of the best of our generation, but that was agression, and has not excuse. If Cristiano Ronaldo didn´t win because of the fair play, why Zidane won? Canavarro guide his team to the cup, like a real captain, he should be the chosen one.
Go Portugal, in 2008 and 2010 we will win!!!

Racist comments and slurs are present on the fields all the time. Imagine that for every racist comment, there’d be a punch or head butt; I would not be soccer anymore, but at wrestlling or boxing match. I have been victim of racist comments on the fields one too many times, but I usually pay back with goals or good play. Soccer is full of many bad things, but as playes you have to live with them and not react to them, Not especially in the most important night and game of your career. Zidane could have very well scored a goal or a pk and sticked in the face to Materazzi, but he made a very bad decision. Deserved red card and I’m sure it was probably a racial comment, no doubt. Reaction was not exactly very smart on Zidane’s side. There are better ways to pay back for a comment.

This alex guy seems to be very bias as to his comments.My question to you would be what about the headbuttt of figo to the holland player ?You seem to have an admiration 4 portugtal.And which other teams than portugal and italy have drawn more red cards and shown more indiscipline than these 2 teams.If you ever played soccer you would know that tempers erupt in fueled heated conversations.yet still Zidanne’s action cannot be condoned.But needless to say he is still the best player of this generation.

Denni, what recent news? where did you get this ‘news’? And it better not be something the French coach or some other player said.

thanks antonio, the italians will take the cup home now.
Are you trying to hurt the italian’s feelings or are you just trying to fix your bruised ego.

Poor baby, maybe they should give you the cup because you’re so self-righteous.

oh by the way, are you the “eyes of the world” i sincerely hope not.

There’s a reason why the Italian Championship and top clubs in Italy are under investigation guys. Totally agree with the Italian Mafia in the FIFA body. Down with the cheaters!!!!!!!!!!!

My thanks must go to Zidane.

We love you for making Italy win.

For deciding that you were not going to let France win at penalties.

You must be rewarded by at least someone.

I think Zidane should get a goalden award. Maybe a goalden head award.

Thanx Zidane I hated you now I love you

Gian Luca, you are dead wrong about the issue of race involvement here, you are crazy to believe Zidane would head butt someone without strong provocation, there is no other explanation for you to shout down everyone who is speculating? For those who are forwarding the hate issue which precipitates this incident whether it is religion or race are I believe they are right, it is the best logical assessment of the situation without knowing the exact exchange. You are either ignoring the fact the rise of fascism and Islamophobic in Europe or you don’t know, if so, then all you have to do is learn. I am not attacking the whole Europe for the deeds of some, but as an African and a humanitarian I can tell you that I don’t appreciate what people in the stadium did to people of African descent. Don’t shot down everyone who claiming that Zidane was attacked because of this or that but just wait and condemned if such things ever happened. I am sad that a game I watched since 1978 world cup now in this situation. I hate the friction based on ideology, religion, narrow nationalism and pure hatred. Let us condemned all hatreds what ever direction come from or where it directed to. Have your World Cup if you want to but to think you can humiliate people because of your assumption they are different is not acceptable. Zinedine Zidane did the right thing if he was called terrorist or monkey the World Cup is not worth to be humiliated for!!

Take your revenge, headbutt Materazzi on line

http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2006/07_Luglio/10/pop_zidane.shtml

Ciao e Forza Azzurri!!

Italy winning World Cup is like Zidane winning Golden Ball.

You can say Italy won because of their good defense and skill. Same with Zidane.
or you cay say Italy doesnt deserve to win because of their bad sportsmanship. SAME WITH ZIDANE.

how you like them apples?

The tournament was great, this was indeed an exciting month. The best team does not always win, however as a French fan I to must congratulate the Italians on their very decisive wins (Germany). To those who call the Italians criminals well those are simply sour grapes.
( to Antonio …I am sure that is not really your name) Grow up and enjoy The Game. Football unites the masses and only the ignorant few can see negativeness in this sport.
Thanks to all the teams for such great entertainment.

tirusew:

you said

“you are crazy to believe Zidane would head butt someone without strong provocation”

Remember that this is hardly the first time that Zidane has shown ugly rage in the game.

In the 2000 Champions League match between Juventus Turin and Hamburger SV, Zidane headbutted Jochen Kientz savagely, fracturing his cheekbone, and got a red card and three game suspension for it. And don’t forget how he he stamped on Saudi captain Fuad Amin, which got him a well deserved red card and a two game suspension.

“And which other teams than portugal and italy have drawn more red cards and shown more indiscipline than these 2 teams.”

Your great player, Zidane, took three yellows and one red in six games in this WC. That is a lot of cards for a disciplined player.

France had 16 yellows to Italy’s 11.

Antonio and the rest, you guys are making my day!!!!! I am heading for the circo massimo!!! watch the news may be you” get even more sour watching the celebrations… what a day… a day you will never see….
noi CAMPIONI VOI ROSICONI!!!!!!!

what was so bad about that head butt guys , am sure it’s better than a foot in ur groin except if he(materazzi) got it in the solar plexsus and anyways he was called out of retirement to help the team , he knew it was over for him in 2004 , so if 2 years later he goes thru a month long tournment , and then xtra time in a WC final loses his cool when provoked what’s the big deal .? and u guys keep on and on abt pele maradona for me the best 2 were BEST nd J.cruff

Zidane, despite his actions, deserved this award.

An outstanding player is not only made by football skill, but also by good behaviour. I don’t give a sod what that guy said to Zidane, he’s an experienced player and he should have known better. He made a complete fool of himself and ashamed his whole team. I don’t thing he should have gotten the Golden Ball.
And I used to like him and respect him so much! He disappointed me big time… tsk, tsk…

You canadians are suck. How could you be so hatred to France? This is nothing but a jalousy for a great nation of soccer like France with ZiZou, Makelele, Thuram, Vieira and so many.
You canadians will never be seen in any world cup game because you’re not capable.
Canada will nwvwe be heard in the world soccer. Don’t be jalous just shut the f…Up and watch great nations of soccer entertain the world.

OK, stop all the speculation – we found out what was said between Zidane and Materazzi – it is not pretty, you should probably have the children leave the room before you click.

Check it out at http://www.SoccerBriefs.com

Zidane got a shoulder injury by materazzi and later on, getting sexual harrassment by twisting his nipples. It does not stop there, with verbal abuse and racist comments such as calling him a “terrorist”. I just wish the headbutt would be targeted at his mouth instead of his chest. Italians are well-known for their dirty tactics such as this example, when they intentionally try to get Zidane sent off by playing on his weak points, his hatred of racism.

I don’t that headbutt was that vicious either, Materazzi was acting that he was hurt badly, and why was he not sent off for treatment immediately ? Yet, he stood up as quickly as zidane was red-carded.

In a fair suitation, both players should have red-carded. And zidane deserved this award as he a football legend even before this world cup.

hey aldo pepi and udontknowjack portugal is on top of the fouls commited (yellow and red) BUT ITALY IS NOWHWRE near the top of the list and you would know this if you checked the stats, but france is sure there third from behind ghana snd portugal so know your facts before you make your bulls— comments

Hey all u stale loses!

A) Zidane is a great player and its to everyones’ regret he had to retire with a red card. What he did was wrong and so he got his punishment. End of story. Stop justifying his action. It’ll only make matters worse.

B) Italy’s win was legitimate. For those of u who cannot stomach loses, dont get into a match then. It was good that Italy had won on penalty – so to shut the mouth of all you frenchies. Penalty shoot outs has no “racism remarks” thrown at u, or “diving” by so-called Italian cheats. Its all about whetehr u can put the ball in the net. Further, everyone knows Italy was bad at penalty; and its actually to Italy’s disadvantage to go for penalty shoot-outs. Had France won on PK, all u frenchies will hail the win and say stuff like Italy is a bunch of sorry folks who cannot cannot shake off its stale penalty performance. Serves Italy right, eh? Well, now that Italy has won it, u still cannot get over the defeat and say things like “winning on penalty shoot-outs has no class” C’mon, u guys suck!

Also let me tell u this. Why it is hard for all u frenchies to swallow defeat is because u guys crafted a fairytale out of Zidane. The man is human. But since u made him to be a superhero, and now that he had committed a human error, u just cannot accept it. Instead u lash out against Italy and blame Italy for causing France defeat. The worse guy to do that its your national coach. Instead of taking some reponsibilities for the french defeat as a coach, he conveniently pushed the blame away to the guess who? The Italians by painting them as villians. Why dont u ask yourself. Your own disappointment was a result of your own doing.

Laura then according to you the outstanding players will be chosen from the ones on the bench

It´s the saddest thing I`ve ever seen in a soccer match. Live, soccer and destiny are crude with teh gratest ones

Laura, Zidane doesn’t care whether you like him or not. You ain’t nothing to him.
I understand you madness. He kick the hell out of you ass in the quarter final; France has always beats Spain in the official games no matter what. You know Spain never made it to the world cup final; if i can recall, the highest level Spain had made to the world cup was the semi final. Never made it to the final. So let Zidane be.

Much as I’m a fan of his, and though I think he gave the single best performance of this World Cup (against Brazil), I can’t say I’m delighted by this.

Also, I thought the Argentines were the most entertaining team.

Holland against W. Germany, 1990 quarterfinals. Rudi Voller calls Frank Rijkkard a
n***er. Rijkkard spits in Voller’s hair 2 times, get’s red carded. In the late 80’s and early 90’s I sat in English and German stadiums watching matches listening to home fans shout “ooga-booga” everytime a player of African descent touched a ball. Unfortunately, racism is not on the rise in Europe, it’s never gone away. Even sadder is that it bleeds over into sport which is only supposed to be entertainment.

What concerns me more is all the talk on how positive it was to see Germans again embracing their nationality and showing outward patriotism and flag waving. Adopting more of an “American attitude”. Look where all the nationalistic pride and flag waving has gotten the US. The world’s most openly aggressive and imperialistic nation. Seem’s to me the last time the German’s started waving flags, things got a little bit out of hand in Europe.

And before anybody start’s reigning down insults on my lack of patriotism, I love my country the United States. But I sure don’t love our performance at the World Cup, not counting the Italy match in which we showed some moxy and guts. Has Bruce Arena been fired yet??

here is your gentleman thatwouldneverractsuchabrutalwayifhewasntprovocated

http://repubblicaradio.repubblica.it/asx/search.php?player_id=3502

In other unfortunate news, and in a triumph for puerile, bigoted failures everywhere, Aragones is staying on as Spanish coach, despite saying he would step down.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/spain/5126204.stm

“If you want me to say that I made a mistake (at the World Cup), then I will say I made a mistake – even if I think otherwise,” said Aragones. “Also,” he added, “I am rubber, you are glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.”

It is quite practical for a football player to loose his temper at times and thats what has happen with Zidane in the Final. He is under lot of expectations from fans
all around . If we look back into, how he played with Brazil and Protugal he definitely deserve The Golden Ball as he did.

Even though my Fav Player is Allesandro Del Piero, Zidane played better.

HUMAN, Where did you come up with the excuse that Materazzi pinched Zidane’s nipple?
I just played back the tape, in super low motion, of the replay shown by channel 7. The play started with a kick into to box. Materazzi had his left arm around Zidane while watching the play; something all good defenders do to keep track of the marked player without actually looking at them. If you watch the replay, Materazzi’s hand is open throughout the play. It appears that Zidane took exception to the fact that he was being marked in that fashion and he clearly, very angerliy says something to Materazzi who at first appears to be disinterested in what Zidane is saying. But Zidane continues and then Materazzi responds. It could not have been that bad because Materazzi is more interested in watching the play progress that be doesn’t even notice Zidane turn around and come after him. Materazzi is looking up the field!!!!!

The fact that Zidane has yet to publicly state what provoked him means that his PR people are trying to come up with something plausible that will take the smear off of what he did.

The great players have something dark associated with them.
They tend to self-destruct (like Maradona)
The golden ball should be given for performance with the ball and for sure there was nobody better than him.
So, congrats Zidane and Congrats Italy

Squiggle,

Totally agree, Argentina was the most entertaining. Unfortunately for them, they were NOT the best conditioned or disciplined.

The Rodriguez goal was the best of the tournament from a pure skill perspective.

Most dissapointing team, a tie between Brasil & England. Brasil appeared to be lacking chemistry. England lacked consistency. Strong direct play for 10 minutes, clueless and unskilled for 20 minutes.

Zidane’s head butt on that italian was great.. the italian deserved it.. i’m sure he said something that was uncalled for… that italian deserved what came to him, dirty bastard provocated… zidane against brazil was brilliant, never saw a better performance from a single player.. they say ronaldino is the best player, sorry to say that shoud be directed to zidane…

Zidane did not consider his country, nor the world cup, and made the decision to and through it anyaways, thinking about himself instead of his team.

A great soccer player yes, but so what? A great human being commits commits a murder, they have to pay for it. Even if they had led up to that point a “good” life.

Zidane chose to end his career that way, and that’s HIS problem. Nt ours. Everyone knows the golden ball is a “sympathy” gift.

Whenever he looks at it, its gold will be tarnished by his memories of that day, and I’m ok with that.

we are all hypocritical… if we were in the same shoes we’d do the same thing.. we don’t know what that italian said to zidane, but i’m sure it was pretty bad..

oh one more thing.. when true athletes play, they play to win, it’s all about competition.. you can throw that “consider his country, no world up” out the window…

oh “you are sure” so the ref could phone you to have enlighting about the fact ah??

I’m sure the Zizou had been violent in the past as you can see in the movie i posted.
And THAT’s a fact

and he didn’t choose to end his career that way….. “sympathy” gift.. you gotta be kidding.. the guy played amazingly.. he deserved it…

diggin,

Don’t generalize, all of us would not of done the same thing as Zidane, and I personally could never be in his shoes. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to boots’ and those gold Adidas he wore would never see the light of day on my feet. Let’s change the subject to something really important, can’t plaers start wearing black cleats again!!

No, diggin, we are all hypocritical in that if an Italian had headbutted someone else, we’d all blame him and not whatever was said to him. For all the talk about fair play and saying no to racism, these comments reek of anti-italianism. Whoever thought that blogging and football should be mixed, sure made a mistake. It has brought a bunch of retards that know nothing about the game, but a lot about yapping away. Sore loosers!

are you saying italian players are violent?

Thanks to Ale_Nesta for this great clip…
Please watch and reflect on this repetitive behavior by Zidane. Last night’s event was not new to many… Here’s proof..

http://repubblicaradio.repubblica.it/asx/search.php?player_id=3502

No I say that Zidane is a violent!

well zidane is passionate like the italians.. what irony…

Alex, it’s in the video posted here, if you watch closely you can see it: http://www.whoateallthebratwurst.com/2006/07/calling_all_lip.html

You don’t have to close your whole hand to pinch someone.

We also have a very different reading on the two players’ body language. You see they have an exchange and then Materazzi says something and picks up his pace, trying to have the last word. Zidane wasn’t willing to give it to him.

I want to be very clear here that it is not acceptable to headbutt people. And I would never say that it is. The provocation, however, is clear. It’s a damn shame that Zidane gave in to it.

Anti-italianism !!!!

Is that anything like choosing to eat at Macaroni Grill instead of Olive Garden?? This blog is just getting way to silly for me . Ciao

oh now italian are passionate, just a couple of minutes ago they were divers cheaters racist…

it’s not anti-italianism.. where di d that come from? it’s anti-zidane right now… the man should be a hockey player, and soccer players should be more like hockey players.. like that american player who got elbowed by the italian, and came back to play with stiches on his face.. now that’s a real athlete..

De rossi paid for that, they didn’t give him an award!

I think what Zidane did was terrible. What kind of soccer idol would do such a thing. Think of all the children you have taught bad sportsmenship.

come on! we all know how great Materazi is at playing dirty soccer!!!
That Zidane did what he did; well, he paid and will keep paying the price. There was no ambiguity or sneaky intention; he just lost it.

However, insults on the field are also punishable of a red card. But Materazi in all his greatness knows it’s just much easier to get away with…
Shame on him to play this dirty game on a WC final. He’s a disgrace to Italian soccer, and he’ll be taking home a dull and slimy cup.

speaking of end to racism via world cup.. that italian made a racist commment to zidane (as his ethnic background is not really french, it’s algerian)…. i think the italian should of gotten a red card if we are truly going by world cup standards… seth blatter should make note..

wassup.. i so agree with you…

Zidane was tired and frustrated. He was tightly marked all day long and it was getting on his nerves. You can see by his rediculous reaction to the save on his header that he was steaming over and already out of his mind. Then he has Materazzi, who is normally a sub on the Italian team making life even more difficult for him; not to mention that the other stars on the French team leave him holding the bag by begging out of the game. All of that combined caused him to crack. Lets not just assume it was something said by Materazzi that caused it. No matter what a player could have said to him, if Zidane was not feeling all the fustration and pain of the moment he would never have reacted that way.

Can you imagine if it was Nesta marking him all day? He may have been thown out before the end ofthe first half. Unfortunately, and you see it in all sports at all levels, sometimes the stars of the sport get very upset when they feel players less talented are showing them no respect by playing then physical.

In 2008 look for a USA v. Italy final.

Good bye to all, Italians are champions and all the crying on this post is not going to change that fact. Live with it.

wassup, we all know that Zidane is a violent
Tell us about the dirty game of Materazzi.
Perhaps you are the only one in the blog who knows what Materazzi said, so le us know the truth, please, please, please…

Alex.. 2008? you mean 2010?

Ale_Nesta,

Then the US paid when Mastreoni was ejected as a make up call, then Pope receiving a second yellow and ejection for a normal foul. So who ended up paying more?? Let’s be honest, the refereeing in this World Cup was attrocious. I’ve never seen more game outcomes changed due to questionable calls.
Australia versus Italy, 93rd minute?? World Cup’s are not always won by the best team, it’s often the most fortunate. But remember the old saying, “I’d rather be lucky than good.”

… ALL I have to say, and not just because my husband IS ITALIAN, is that ITALY earned it and deserves every minute of sweat it took for these 10 FAB athletes to achieve their 4th World Cup Trophy. SO STOP all of this stupitidy and the absurdity of “The Zidane” winning of all things the Golden Ball Award.. ’cause no matter what he has done in the past he sure blew it in a flash!!
ITALY should hold its head high and celebrate, especially that none of their Italian League Teams has to welcome back.. you know who… “The Zidane”…
AUREVOIR & ARRIVEDERCI!!!!!!!!
FORZA AZZURRI !!!!!

it was reported today that materazzi made a racist comment on zidane…

hey wassup does anybody know what matterazi said or are the jelouse people just make up shit
hey do you think that zidane might have pstarted this? he probably got the remark he deserved, because knobody was there but the 2 players.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/worldcup2006.html?in_article_id=394962&in_page_id=1892

to all sorry for the sh– word should of been blocked out

Shame on the italians, what a dirty play!

Diggin, this is all still silly rumors. The article doesn’t even try to guess at what was said.

Zidane, who has a history of headbutting (fracturing a cheak bone in the process) and stepping on players, just snapped. That’s his fault, not Materazzi’s.

“Zidane’s headbutt was “provoked” by a comment from the Italy defender, according to the player’s agent.”

“And, while Alain Migliaccio did not know what Materazzi said, he confirmed that Zidane would reveal all soon. ”

verry laughing, Zizou told to his agent that he was provocated but didn’t tell him what Materazzi said…

Anyway it’s just Zidane spoke against Materazzi.s, both will defend their action and noone will know the truth…

yes 2010. I was talking about the euros in 2008 on a different cite and confused the dates in my head.

Good luck to all in the next world cup. It was fun and can’t wait to do it again.

sam.. like i said Zidane should be an ice hockey player.. true athletes.. none of this diving and faking an injury..

Why does it matter what Materazzi said?

I’ve been called terrible things too…

Nothing justifies that action and putting your whole team on the line.

Bont,

The Italian leauge has their own problems, as do 13 members of the World Cup squad from Juventus, the betting scandal.

Zidane coming back would be the least of their problems. But considering he is currently under contract to Real Madrid, that wouldn’t be an issue anyway.

i think it does matter.. racist commments should never be in sports.. if zidane head butted that guy because he called him a “pussy” then zidane is a loser.. but i’m sure the comments were much more severe for someone to take action like he did.. remember zidane grew up in a very monolithic culture.. i’m sure the comment the italian made just took him over the edge.. the italian probably knew it too which makes it dirtier..

diggin: in ice hockey, if you are alone with a player on the court, away from the referee and the puck, and you headbutt him hard enough to kiock him over, you would be lucky if a suspension is the least of your worries.

Such behaviour is considered disgusting and unsportsmanlike in ice hockey as well.

Has anyone brought up the fact that this red-card was based solely on a televised instant replay? Provocations aside, head-butt aside, if the referee didn’t see the foul it should never have been called.

ok so i know many of you here probably won’t agree with what i have to say bout i’m gonna say it anyways and think what you may with it.

let’s put asside for a second whatever the hell materazzi said or did not say. Zidane’s response was beyond comprehension. a head butt? out of all things? (ps its not the first time he’s bulled his way into an opponent, i don’t know when, i don’t know who, but it happened). I understand that he had all sorts of emotions racing through his head, but with all his experiences he should have been able to keep himself in check, especially on such a huge stage. The commentators even said, Zizou has had a long long career and has probably herd every sort of trash talking in the book. Even if MAterazzi had said your sister is a dirty terrorist prostitute, zidane’s retaliationcould have been better calculated. he could have tripped him, pushed him, smacked him …. but a head butt? did he honestly think he could get away with it? The best response would have been to channel all that anger onto the ball and blast it into the net.

It’s just sad to see such a brilliant career come to a close on a situation that is repulsive alltogether.

As for the Golden Ball, even when ignoring the whole head-butt incident, it should have gone to cannavaro. that man’s peformance this WC was absolutely stellar and no one can question that.and i realise zidane’s story is worthy but … fabio cannavaro is 32 and his time is limited too. He was the the wall on the field and the temple of the azzurri.
GRAZIE CAPITANO CANNAVARO

That’s just incredible. How can you assume that anything not seen by the ref should no be called upon. An attack like Zidane’s must be punished in any scenario or event; plus, it was seen by the linesman and corroborated by the fourth and fifth official. IT WAS ALL LEGAL.

Dear Ale Nesta “I say that Zidane is a violent!”
May be your a young supporter. What are you thinking about totti, nesta camoransi, materrazi…don’t talk about Gattuso no other utility else faults???? May be they are angels. With your clip do you say what was the special treatment Zidane always received, from the saouadiens players or from his adversary?? Why not?? You seem to be an honesty little guy. Nesta wasn’t this smashing LAZIO’ player?? What a good club the Lazio!!! How could you deal with all the nazis who infested this club and with all “the players” who were proud to wear a such jersey. In victory as in defeat we sometimes can see great teams at the respect they have for the others. With all my best. Oh, i presume Materrazi could do better, but it will be more honest from you to show what your “heroes could do too” before play the gravely offended personn. And De rossi, all is right with him??http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gyu8W1g2co&search=materazzi%20sorin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJPKM5aJGW8&mode=related&search=materazzi%20sorin

another flamer…
13 players envolved in the betting scandal…
tell us the name please, cause in Italy except for Buffon (whose position it’s not known) noone made this names…

What a shame not only did he screw himself up but he screwed his team shameful and juvenile !

i agree with Geoff_T… nothing else gets called for by replay, but the headbutt by zidane… did the guy who elbowed the american get a replay and a red card?

Geoff_T,

Finally a voice of reason. According to early reports, the 4th referee saw the incident on replay who then alerted the linesman, who then notified the referee. Considering FIFA does not currently use replays for officiating decisions, the ejection was erroneous and falsified the result. To go back to my previous message, the officiating was terribble and affected more outcomes than I had ever seen. How did the referee that hadnled the Us Italy game ever land a job in one of the quarter final matches?

Charolastra,

I totally agree.

In addition, would Geoff_T be implying that players can do what they want when the ref isnt looking? (i.e. Rivaldo in 2002 against Turkey)

Well, here is the scoop…
Zidane just decided to turn around on some unexpected compliments on his jersey from Materazi. I figured Materazi saw a golden opportunity to grab the mythical number-10 jersey (see replay video) with hopes to score a few bucks on Ebay for it. When he saw the stains he was starting to leave on the glorious shrine, his italian blood took over and in a moment of enlightment he let the only words his mouth could mutter: “my God it’s full of stars!”; or this may be after the Zizou head benediction. No one will know for sure…
Now, I’ve got to be impartial. Some further analysis demonstrated, in all amazement I must say, that Mazerati was, gues s what, lip-synching! you heard right. This is the first case of an Italian actually “talking” without actually emitting any sounds. And for that matter, without gesturing either.

the provocator should also be penalized.. that’s normal.. in all fairness, both zidane and materazzi should have been sent off the pitch.. then we would not have this blog topic..

In this case, I think that Zidane’s reaction was pretty fool, immature and out of mind. Due to the fact that he was playing a world cup final that had a few minute left to end,and he was ready to retired. He should know better than that.
he probably cost his team a chance to win the final.

diggin you know also who started the provocation?
You are a wizard!

Zidane is an incredible player, there is no doubting that. Italian is my team and I am glad they won. I think Fabio Cannavaro definately deserved the golden ball more than Zidane, not taking into account ZZs action on sunday.

As far as why he did it, it doesn’t really matter. Saying ZZ was justified cause he was called a name means that you justify and think a lot of violance in this world is right. But, that is your call.

Impossible to send off both players. One reason: Insults cannot necesarily be heard, but head-butts are seen by everyone in the stadium… so live with it.

By the way, it’s been made quite clear that the vast majority of pro-Zidane votes (that won him the Golden Ball) were made during half time, and that probably most of the journalists that made them would take them back now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5154248.stm

So it’s not the case that Zidane won the Golden Ball in spite of his headbutt. Rather, it’s because it was decided before the headbutt ever happened.

hey diggin yes the guy who elbowed the american got a red card and suspended 4 games so zidane should be fined heavily

Just have a final comment… and will leave you guys with this never-ending dispute.

My thanks must go to Zidane.

We love you for making Italy win.

For deciding that you were not going to let France win at penalties.

You must be rewarded by at least someone.

I think Zidane should get a goalden award. Maybe a goalden head award.

Thanx Zidane I hated you now I love you

Diggin:

“did the guy who elbowed the american get a replay and a red card?”

Um, yes… He got a straight red card.

Those that are saying that the Italian win wasn’t justified because the ref didn’t see the disgusting headbutt: Would it have been better if the headbutt had gone unpunished? That’s probably the worst thing I’ve heard people suggest on this blog.

It is so disturbing that many have been so quick to attack Zinedine Zidane. Likely one of the most gracious, polite and sportsman-like players in professional football/soccer, it is more than obvious to me that he was provoked by Materrazzi with totally unacceptable and unsportsmanlike slurs. As they are known not only for their outstanding diving performances that could win them medals in the Olympic pool, but also for their nasty play on the pitch, I would not be at all surprised if this was a planned scheme by the Italian team when they realised that they were heading for a shootout, in which the talented Zidane would pose a major threat.

I do not condone what Zidane did, but I also do not condone that an obviously highly offensive slur was intentionally and maliciously directed towards him. In my opinion not only should Zidane have been red carded, but Materrazzi, should also have been red carded for his obvious unsportsmanlike and possibly socially unacceptable comment.

I hope that Zidane soon exposes to the world what was said to him that caused his extreme action on the field. Not until then will we know the truth, and not until then will we or the media have the right to attempt to damage his reputation or tar his illustrious career.

If what was said by Materazzi proves to be unacceptable, I trust that the Italian team and all Italian supporters will feel shame for the nasty play with which their player chose to engage himself on the pitch. I also hope that the shame that the World press is aiming at Zidane will also be rightly directed at Materazzi, the Italian team and their supporters for glorifying a tainted World Cup championship.

Ale_Nesta,

Save your name calling for someone who would succumb to such an insult. I’ve got a thicker skin than Zidane.

WOW, anybody see a trend here???

I’m repeating what has been reported in the media OUTSIDE OF ITALY. If it’s inaccurate, then advise me as such politely. Given your post is from Italy, I find your report less than objective. Remember a little betting scandal back in 1978 involving Paolo Rossi and other players?
Then the doping scandals of the early 90’s? I have always had huge admiration for the Seria A, but it’s almost beginning to fall in the same category as proffesional wrestling. Such a shame for the sport of football, and credability for Italian sport.

ECS: So then tell us, who were the 13 players named in the betting scandal??

To all Italians here:

zidane is the best! Get ovet it! You won WC! What else do you want???? You are disgusting! Materazii well deserved what he got, and if you ask me every Italian player except Buffon deserved the same, they dirty way the play!

Italy is disgrace to footbal along with Portugal and Argentina!

they won, it’s over!!!!

Anyone knows how can referees use video replays selectively? From what I know they either use it in all matches, or they dont. How come Horazio used it, and other referees never????

footbal: Horazio didn’t look at any video: he was on the pitch the whole time for chrissakes. FIFA claims the fourth official saw the incident. I have no idea if it’s true, but I don’t particularly care. It would have been far, far worse had Zidane not been justly punished for his unspeakable behaviour.

Don’t unterstand. Italians win. so why all this fury against Zinedine Zidane, he received a red card and was certainly the first who had been sorry???

Thierry: Mainly because there has been so much unsupported criticism of Materazzi.

Also because we are in the blog section discussing whether Zidane deserved his Golden Ball.

I think he was the greatest player currently playing on earth, but I don’t think he deserved the Golden Ball.

Sam – you are right. Zidane should have been sent off. If he was not, can you imagine how Italians would be crying, and begging referee.
Even now they are not happy, because Zidane won the best footballer award, but frankly who should have won??? Can you list 1 Italian, except Buffon who even resembled something close to playing footbal? All they were doing is trying to get to penalties… so sad! As always italians killed the beauty in footbal!
REAL WORLD CHAMPIONS!

Sam – the saddest part is that Italians have no body who deserved the Golden Ball! They are a bunch of mediocrities!

” A world class player should set a better example of controlling his temper and being the sportsman a “Captain” should show”—– those words are for materrazzi , c. ronaldo, all the players in world cup 2006, not just Zidane . It is not fair to judge a person by a single act. If sportsman, captain, can really control their temper, then they must be saints, not human.
Zidane, thank you for all the great games, you are one of the best player in world cup, even the head butt, that make you a true human.

Zidane shouldn’t of done that, fair and square. He knows it, too- that’s why he didnt come out after the game and stayed in the locker room out of extreme embarrassment. I was rooting for Italy, but it would’ve been nice to see Zidane at least in the penalty kicks, but he had to go ruin it by that crazy headbutt (might i add- very entertaining, and damn what a hard-ass to do that in front of the whole world) so i guess that headbutt has it’s perks- but the ultimate achievement goes to Italia!

footbal: You’re right, I can’t name one Italian. Italy scored 11 goals coming up to the final, and they scored them with 10 men. 7 of France’s 9 goals were scored by just two men.

You’re right, I can’t name a single player. Italy played like a team, and won 6 of7 world cup games, have a 25 game unbeaten streak, and won the world cup because of it.

“they won, it’s over” what a dumb statement!
Sport is about playing, not JUST winning. The end doesn’t justify the means. I know, we, Americans often seem to think that way (right sal?) But I’d hate to see soccer turning into a display of violence, whether physical and/or verbal. So, for soccer’s sake let’s get to the bottom of this together.Italy won; they deserve it. But the Zidane/Mazerati scandal (yep, it is one at that level) needs to be further investigated. Headbutts are punishable, but dirty/sleazy attacks are too. And I expect professionals to behave accordingly on both sides.
So before you take side so easily, I’d advise you wait for more info to make an ‘educated’ contribution…
Long live soccer!

hey football fan name a game other than the brazilia game that zidane proved he deserved the award
canavaro showed it every game so to the fans of every team italy beat, that are leaving comments on this blog please answer my question

VIVE LA ITALIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Italians won, and they deffinetly deserved it. France played a great game. I am very dissapointed in Zidane. He not only let himself down, but he let his team down as well. Being the captain of your team, those actions are not appropriate, especially if you’re Zinedine Zidane. He’s a class act and a great player. I have lost all of my respect for him, he did not have to go so far to intentionally hurt another player, under any circumstances. It was very uncalled for. Anyways, I wanted Italy to win, so congrats to them. I campioni del mondo!!!!

Sam,

I heard mention of the 13 players on TV coverage But after looking it up, appears that was in reference to Juventus players and other officials, not players on the national team. As Ale_Nesta commented, Buffoni is the only member of the national team currently implicated.

I’ll apologize for the inaccurate info to everyone other than Ale_Nesta on this blog. Anyone who hurls insults from the safety of anominity is not worthy.

I think the call was made too late. If FIFA allowed replays to be the judge then soccer becomes another American whimp fest “Football”. Crap. I am glad the ref can’t see everything that goes on. I know, I play soccer, and I play wicked if need be. So be it! Carpe Diem! Way to go ITALY!!

football fan, Canavaro and Buffon were both excellent contenders for the Golden Ball. As the BBC article stated, Zidane got it because it was his last game.

And as Sam said, Italy played like a team throughout ans the results prove it. I don’t think you really know much about football.

Guys, please say no more. The italian team is absolute trash, they won the cup (altought unfairly) but they also won the world`s hate.

Look the history of italy and you`ll see it`s full of robbers and brigands.

So, after following all the World Cups since ‘82 it has lost shine to me because of the criminal italians.

It is clear that it was the first video refereeing. And for those who seem pleased (more than really horrified) with the ” ashamed french arab”. I want to put their mind at ease: Miraculously Materrrazi will survive.

Boy, they sure got a bunch of those “awards” wrong. Was Zizou chosen right after his PK early in the final?

The other awards from the 2006 World Cup:

Most Entertaining Team was Portugal?!? Give me break. Pauleta couldn’t score, Deco couldn’t pass, Figo couldn’t playmake or shoot, and Ronaldo looked like an idiot with his stepovers that produced nothing. Check out their goals scored. BORING!!!

Best Young Player: Lukas Podolski (Germany) WHY??? Several looked much better to me: Barnetta, Fabregas, Senderos before he was hurt, the Valencia kid at Ecuador, Rodriguez to name a few. I guess Ribery at 23 was “too old.” I don’t know the ages of some others, but there were quite a few youngsters who impressed me more than Podolski, who created virtually nothing on his own.

Team Fair Play Award: Spain and Brazil What kind of wimpy, corny, for-losers-only, politically-correct award is this???

Dave hamildav@yahoo.com

Zidane deserved the Golden Ball Award, despite his act against Italy.

Sam,

One last question…..

Have you ever been carded in a match because of an altercation with another player?

ECS: No, I haven’t. I play keeper.

What kind of question was that?

I think most Italian fans could care less that Zidane won the Golden Ball. I personally feel sorry for him and if it’s any consolation then great. Italy won the cup which is all that matters to them and their fans. I think the worse thing that happened in the officiating is the errant penalty against Italy in the first 7 minutes that led to Frances’ only goal, and taking away a legitimate goal by Italy on an offsides penalty that was shown to be in error, and would have accounted for Italy’s second goal. The score should have been 2-0 Italy at the end of regulation and Zidane’s head butt would never have even happened.

SHAME ON YOU FIFA!!

Zidane Best Player!!

It seems to me Best Headbutt!!

Hey Dave, you forgot to mention about Portuguese Players, Maniche, Ricardo and Ricardo Carvalho.

For me Best Middle Field, Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender!!

italy win!!!!!!!
i´m italian,everybody say about italians!!!!!but we are the champions……….

Mike,

Question is for Sam. Your a keeper and never been carded?

That’s an admirable record. I would of thought every keeper has been beaten one on one at the edge of his box and brought the attacking player down at some point in his career.

And to get back to the subject at hand, the best player in the tournament for my money was Buffoni. He’s the reason Italy is world champions. Ironic isn’t it that a player nicknamed “The snarling dog” isn’t at the center of this controversy? Cattuso was hard working, physical, and as tough as his nickname alludes to. But he did so playing fairly and respectfully. I enjoyed watching him play during the World Cup. Had never seen him play before. More players, both French and Italian, should play the same way.

If you don’t free up the rules so that there’s some scoring you’re continually going to have boring games. No dive,defensive team play, referee abuse of power or in the box calls should determine the outcome of a match.That said,all that watched unbiased, Ricardo’s play was by far the BEST PLAYER of the tournament with Klose being a ‘klose’ 2nd for the “Golden Ball.” Upon review of the winner, he made 2 PK’s in the final 2 games(France’s only scores) while shooting for the man who actually got fouled. Where was the man who sets up the scores–Oh Yeah accepting “his’ trophy?

What did the Italian player say to Zidane, that was walking away to turn back and do what he did?

Sam and lg. I have nothing to say. I just wanted to say I agree with you both 100%.

Mike:
«I think most Italian fans could care less that Zidane won the Golden Ball. I personally feel sorry for him and if it’s any consolation then great. Italy won the cup which is all that matters to them and their fans. I think the worse thing that happened in the officiating is the errant penalty against Italy in the first 7 minutes that led to Frances’ only goal, and taking away a legitimate goal by Italy on an offsides penalty that was shown to be in error, and would have accounted for Italy’s second goal. The score should have been 2-0 Italy at the end of regulation and Zidane’s head butt would never have even happened.»

This is the best comment yet. I couldnt agree with you more. Nevertheless, I still think Cannavaro shouldve won the Golden ball for this tournament.

Isnt the golden ball about the tournament. Sure, Zidane may be the greatest player that ever lived, but I think in the tournament, Cannavaro was tops. Triling close behind, Buffon.

Finally Italians won the world cup,superb performance by Italy,the credit goes to Pirlo who really gave a good throw to Matterrrazi,but the worst part is that zindane’s behaviour in the field,the referee’s decision was absolute to send him out of the field,he may be a good player but the most important is that to control the feelings when entering inside the field,i can say this a lesson for each and every player who played world cup matches.”Football is for Spirit to prove the excellence and performance,its not just showing their Ego,Jealous or proud.

Wassup; Sports are all about winning – if you’re not there to win, then what are you there for? Usually it’s the losers that tend to point out that it’s the road to victory that counts, not the victory itself.

Zindane deserved the Golden Cup, because the French team expected him to give them the World Cup.
In my opinion, the best game ever played in this World Cup was Germany vs Italy. Now that game should have been the final.
As for Antonio…Grow up. Even a toddler has more control over a tamtrum

What a sad way to end a tremendous career for Zadane. I dont care what was said a little self control. Rewarding him as the best player is a terrible mistake and sends the wrong message to the youth players that don’t need any encouragement towards violent play.

The French truly are the most despiesed people on the face of the earth and deservenly so. Just typical Zadane. Cowardly act.

OK, here is an update on Zidane:

Materazzi apparently called him ‘dirty terrorist’. See it here:
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldFootballNews&storyID=2006-07-10T163843Z_01_L10406204_RTRIDST_0_SPORT-SOCCER-WORLD-FRANCE-ZIDANE.XML

Just for being an Arab. Now, all of you can you justify this???? And on the top, it seems that Materazzi added his sister is a prostitute. How about that????

Whatever you think about Zidane’s behavior, I am with him. It is the matter of honor and honor is more important than awards.

Filthy Italian soccer (NB: I am talking about soccer, not the people per ce). Diving, cheating, hitting and insulting from behind, simulating.

You got your world cup. Choke with it.

BOYCOTT MATERAZZI!!!!

i want to point out one thing does everybody notice, that all the negative comments about italy are posted, by fans of teams,italy beat

guys what is wrong? if your favourite team had won whould you all be defending zidane then.
I will answer that for all of you NO NO NO you would want to see him hang so spare every italian fan your feeble whining
and cheer the champs

FIFA doing a nice thing giving the Golden Ball to Zidane. Let the genius fade away in style rather than being remembered for his well directed header at Materazzi.

In a fair world, Canavarro would be getting this for there was no way he was letting *any* team break his line! But then, in a fair world, Materazzi would be playing football and not be mouthing off *whatever*.

The end never justifies the means!

Well if Zidane was called a “Dirty Terrorists” he went out and proved it.

I get called a dirty terrrorists and f&& a*8hole and everybody gives me the finger too…this happenings everyday. And I happen to be Portuguese…what’s the big deal.. call me anything you want as I drive in MY 2006 Lexus while living on an ocean front with a tall blond babe. Ok, so I am an a$$h**

Italians were jeered at by the Germans and called “greasy pizza eaters.” They didn’t get angry, they won the game.

I don’t know if Zidane’s personal reports of what was said are true (and all of this “sister” rumor is no more than a runor. He has never said any such thing), if a guy can’t take a heckling by an opposing player, what kind of man is he?

cyberkraze: FIFA didn’t give Zidane the golden ball in spite of the headbutting: it was voted on mainly at half-time, before the incedent, by the journalists covering the world cup. Many have said that they wouldn’t have voted for him had they seen the headbutt.

Italians were jeered at by the Germans and called by ethnic slurs (not to mention “pizza eaters”). They didn’t get angry, they won the game.

I don’t know if Zidane’s personal reports of what was said are true (and all of this “sister” rumor is no more than a runor. He has never said any such thing), if a guy can’t take a heckling by an opposing player, what kind of man is he?

cyberkraze: FIFA didn’t give Zidane the golden ball in spite of the headbutting: it was voted on mainly at half-time, before the incedent, by the journalists covering the world cup. Many have said that they wouldn’t have voted for him had they seen the headbutt.

vitali,
Clearly there are no basis for the acusation on this article for the same artilcle clarifies that neither of the two players involved has spoken out. I think that the anti-racism group is taking the incident as a propaganda slogan to gain world attention. I would no believe anything until any of the players speaks out in public and clearly describes either position.
Let’s all wait for an official declaration and don’t let ourselves go with declarations from some excited yellow european journalism.

you know you can lie to yourselves and say that Italy played well, anybody with a fair sense and who been watching football for a long time know that this is not true. This is supported by some unbiased commentators that support the Italian team.

However, if it is proved that this punk Materrazi said a racial or religious slur or something about Zaidane’s family, then I would say to ZIZO, well done. The WC and all the glory in the world does not equal an insult coming for a low life like Materrazi. You have not been of an Arab or African descent and faced the racism that is so prevalent in the Italian league and how low can Italian defenders can get if they want to (remember the hit Henry took from Canavarro that almost made him loose conscious? And the elbow the De Rossi delivered to the U.S player.) I am so sorry but that is just down right dirty.

A true fan does not care about who won and who lost, its about how you played. That is why Maradona, Cruyff, Zico, and Platini etc are held so high, its how they made us love football by how beautiful they played, not how many trophies they backed. Winning and losing counts are only important for people who are occasional spectators, and for the people who think that the Italian way of winning (as proved in WC1982 and in WC2006) is decent

For everybody’s information on this forum going on and on about Materazzi’s comments to Zidane:

Zidane is not Arab. Yes, his parents are Algerians but he comes from a Berber family. Berbers are NOT Arabs.

And whatever Materazzi called him is never enough to justify his behavior. Taunts and provocation are part of the mental aspect of Football.

Too bad his career is now over…but obviously he’s got some really serious ego problems…He should learn from a certain Platini…oh wait, Platini is originally Italian!! Hahaha!!

hahaha zidane nice work

i would ddi the same

peace dogg

To Nawaf above:

Obviously, you are the occasional spectator of Football if you have problems with Italy’s ways of winning in 1982…Italy’s run to the Final in 1982 is unequalled in the history of Footbal…If beating Argentina, Brazil, Poland, and Germany is not enough for you, then you’re clearly watching the wrong sport for you!!

Ziadine Zidane is a player of the cup. It is unfortunate that what happend should overshadow a great player, but Italians are known to be corrupt and without sportmanship. But there is justice in all this he got the honor for the third time. Obviously people saw him for what he truly is, one of the greatest players of his generation.

Nawaf,
I think many people on this forum have taken the discussion to a totally different level than intended, for neither of the players have made any open public declarations. The rumor of the racist comment is just that “a rumor”. Please, don’t get upset over something that is yet to be proven. There are many so called “news sources” that are out there to cause this: The inclusion of racial conflicts among the players and fans from different backgrounds. If the cared player would have a french player of caucasian desdent, what would be the explanation? No one should go ahead and ensure this was a racial issue until proven or clarified openly by either one of the players.

hey newaf it seems that you make comments with eyes shut canavaro did nothing wrong thierry did a little more diving he should run down the pitch with his head up because next time he might run into a pole, he ran into canavaros shoulder without him even knowing it

zidane deserved the golden ball for what he has done throu his career he is one of the greatest, dont judge a man becouse he stood up for his pride thats something not many people do nowdays, on the other hand italy deserved to win the world cup they had a lot a problems going in and they came throw they deserve respect.

ok , what i find most amusing is this ( by the way im from England ) the only people i can find on here that think that what zidane did was the worst thing ever are? i hate to say this! americans. Im not a french fan either, do you really think someone like zidane would have attack him for no good reason i think you are crazy if u think the guy did. one of the greatest footballers ever and this is how he will be rememberd . i think not at least not europe, im saying it was right. must have been seriously provoked that all. and in the rules of the beautiful game provocation is as bad as retaliating. Americans need to get over the fact its all ways been a physical sport. it always will be …..

Neo,
yes it was “unequaled” how they hit the 20yo Maradonna constantly with that other Italian butcher “Gentili”, and how they tore Mardona’s shirt and Ardilis’ shirt too in their roads to the Final, and how dirty and defensive they played against the Brazilians and only playing on the counter attack (in classic ugly italian football fashion.) The only game in which they played well, was ironically against Germany (just like in 2006)

Yes Zidane is Berber and Berbers are not Arabs, but that wouldn’t matter for a fascist like Materrazi now would it? And I think if Platini was playing for Italy we would never even see him in so much elegance and class – that is something the Italian football badly needs.
Clean up your acts Italian Footballers

I just want to say that Cannavaro should have won the Golden Cup! What a coward Zindane was to have hurt a member of the opposing team. Italy deserved to win and did it BEAUTIFULLY!!!! I could care less what any of you say!!!!!!! FORZA AZZURIIII!!!!!!

First of all, FIFA made a huge mistake giving Zidane anything but a huge fine! It sets a terrible example for the upcoming youth when you award senseless violence like that. I love that it went to penalties and Frances best penalty taker, and one of the worlds most seasoned players, was forced to sit out because he could not control his temper over some alleged words. No matter what is said to you, if you are a great player, then you let your wins and your play respond on your behalf. I have played the great game of football for over 23 years at elite levels and have been called everything and had my mom and my sisters insulted over and over again. But, I let me play and my points do the responding. Zidane’s head butt was by far worse than any other foul in the tournament – and instead of getting what Rooney and De Rossi got, he was awarded for it. Absolute Bullsh*t!! Chatter amongst players is part of the game, getting your opposition off of their game mentally is strategy – not that I am condoning Racist or discriminant remarks – a player like Zidane should rise above it. And the media and FIFA should not award that kind of crap.
My theory, is that Zidane was pissed at Materazzi because he was having an exceptional game and almost ended Frances run for the Cup with 2 solid head balls.
Bottom line, France was lucky to be there, was lucky to get that BOGUS penalty in the 7th minute, and was lucky to get a chance to steal the game in penalties.
Italy deserved that win and Cannavaro deserved that Golden Ball award. He was flawless and sportsmanlike. He had very few fouls and even fewer cautions. He was the man of the tournament with Buffon, Gattuso and that short dude from Ecuador close behind.

JP Canada

umm its the golden boot lmao

Nawaf, obviously you are joking when you talk about Italian soccer. While they play good aggressive defense, if you compare them to other national teams who foul constantly or try to draw the other team offside all the time, how can you not love to watch them play, unless you too are a part time spectator. Every team, except for France, that they played this year were outfouling them by a “wide” margin. And if you were to look at the World Cups between 82 & 06, you would see how other countries have tried to slow play down in order to make it to the shootout vs. Italy. How many losses have they actually had without penalty kicks and how many goals have they given up in these last 7 World Cups … not many at all!And what is probably the case for yesterday’s final, it probably would have been a 2-0 Italian victory, if not for what most people think were a bad “foul in the box” leading to the penalty kick, and a questionable offside call taking a goal away. Unless Zidane would have kicked for the player who hit the crossbar, his ejection didn’t matter one bit , except for the disgrace he brought upon himself, his country and the game of soccer!

Nawaf,

You need to back up your comment on Matterazzi bein a “fascist”
Please provide an explanation or avoid such comments, for no one in this blog called ZZ a “terririst” or an “arab” Remember that it was all part of an article.
Please provide some feedback on your accusation,…

I don’t believe a single word from those alleged anti-racism groups based in France and whose roots are probably in the Muslim Brotherhood :-)

please your comments are crazy ittialian socccer is horrible to wacth the defend all day they desevrs oscars for there dives. atacks are few and far between yes they won. but it will be a while before they win again the germans had a bad day thats all

not a fan of the freanch but zidane is all class

NEWAR FROM KUWAIT

You will never be free of hate if you constantly project so much of it.

Here is your chance to look at human garbage called Materazzi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq6HosVlskQ&search=materazzi

Vitali – Try not to BELIEVE everything you read. Here is a reply from Matarazzi regarding this rumor.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373675&cc=5901

Don’t try to JUSTIFY Zizou’s actions. There simply isn’t any excuses this time. And it isn’t the first time that Zizou has used his head to butt another player. Saw the replay on ESPN today.

At least the French press is condemning Zizou for what he did. I consider him a coward.

Hey you LQ moron!!!! You are a shame to Canada!!!Your Italian cheaters could not even get an honest victory! You are a brainless IDIOTO you FANGULA!

“Here is your chance to look at human garbage called Materazzi”

I cannot believe what a jerk Materazzi is after looking at that footage. He is the equivalent to a “goon” in Hockey.

Sergio, are you Sylvio’s brother? Materazzi has always been a dirty player! for him money has always been more important than performance, hence the ever dirty playing. No class, may be racist, la cassa nera, la cassa bianca, Italy in a nutshell!

All those dirty comments about Italy just make us feel even more happy to have won it!!!!!!!!!! It gives us so much pleasure seeing how you are envious!! Thank you so much..I’m having the time of my life!!!!
Chiara

Italy won. Zizou made a mistake, he shouldn’t have reacted at that moment because his whole team was dependent on him.

During the entire world cup, individually he was the best player.

It was a big mistake.

Zizou is king

Funny how all the french fans blame materazzi for Zidanes biggest stain on his career. The same say italy dived all game without mentioning the french dove just as much and got their ONLY GOAL because of it!

FORZA ITALIA, FRANCE BE HAPPY YOUR BOY GOT THE GOLDEN BOOT, everybody knows it was a sign of respect, it was Cannavaro deserved it! but we will get it in the future.

if the reward for being racist is the world cup, i guess materazzi does deserve it

props to cannavaro though, that guy definitely stepped it up without nesta

That YouTube video of Materazzi is disturbing. Granted there are lots of dirty players out there, every one of those actions was deliberate and completely nuts.

As for Zidane, yeah, he should have kept his cool no matter what Materazzi may have said.

to all you italy bashers materazzi may play dirty at times,and then you bring out these videos but does anybody remember what that kamikazi zizou did in 1998, why not bring out the footage on that
yes zidane is a great player but a very dirty player that keeps blaming others for his actions
that sounds like poor sportsmanship to me

I’m sick of hearing people say italy play defensive football.They scored much more goals than most of the other teams this world cup, more than Brazil’s so called ” magic quartet”, and at the same time restricting goals conceded to an own goal and an undeserved penalty.What team wouldn’t want to play like that.

z.zidane is a terrorist. that algerian p.o.s should get his head caved in. you call yourself a world class player. Show some class and win the right way. NIce way to go out zizou

To john f.
“At least the French press is condemning Zizou for what he did. I consider him a coward.”

Oh really, certainly you had already carried on yours shoulders all the hope of a nation (and even a part of world) to judge so easily ZZ. “A coward” you said and what about a supporter who throw back obviousness. All italians know what kind of player is Materrazi.So if you have doubt we could friendly as italians’ football fans we are, compare ZZ and Materrazi careers.With my sympathy

zidane has the right to defend his diginity,so was right to beat italian player when he said some thing against GREAT zidane.
i propose that fifa group to punish italian plater badly
thank you all
Mose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJPKM5aJGW8&mode=related&search=materazzi%20sorin

John F. – I am taking from your comments that you are Italian??

Poor Materazzi, he “did not even know” what the word terrorist is… Is he illiterate? Typical Italian cheater behaviour.

And to all American Italians who are posting here, you are disgrace as well. You should not have been allowed to enter this country.

Please stop making Zidane into a saint.

He head butted other players in other games. That’s his signature way of fighting.

Materazzi denied saying anything racist to Zidane (though he wouldn’t say what he told him). He probably doesn’t even know where Algeria is. He said it himself, “I am ignorant.”

Zidane has been ejected on red cards 14 times in his career. So he’s definitely not a clean player.

At the 1998 World Cup, he stomped on a Saudi Arabian opponent, sitting out a two-match ban.

Five years ago with Juventus (an Italian team), he head-butted an opponent in a Champions League match against Hamburger SV after being tackled from behind.

What I love is all these losers getting in the hear-say mix. Including SOS-Racism.

What’s worse, now it all depends on Zidane to be honest, because you know everyone is going to believe him, no matter what he says.

The fact remains, fair play, dear Zidane doesn’t even know what it means. All he hears are the little voices inside his head that say “You can do whatever you want, you are Zidane.”

He should also receive Le Golden Asshole award for headbutting a fellow competitor on international TV in front of millions (?billions) of viewers and then pleading for leniency from the referee.

Materazzi reminds me Gentile from 1982, another Italian butcher. he got what he deserved.

hey thierry what kind of player is zidane? that dirty suck ,look back at his cheap shots then comment on materrazi

italy is the greatest football nation second argueably to only brazil, but that will change soon.so to all you envious sucks,show respect to the world cup chamos and have a drink on them

I would have to agree since Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane is the best football playmaker. Zidane inspired and led France winning 2 World Cups and one European Cup and has scored a total of 3 goals in 2 WC final matches. Like Maradona, Zidane will probably be remembered both his bright and dark sides, but wouldn’t it matter? Afterall, Zidane is a legend like Pele, Maradona who will be forever remembered.

Hahahahaha!!! I watched the Materazzi video…It’s lovely stuff!! Did anyone see the kick on Sheva?? Materazzi did not try to hide his kick, but Sheva the sissy was acting that he was hit in the face!!! Which is worse?? I really hate actors!! and #1 on my hate list is MALOUDA (aka. the diver)!!

And I don’t care how much evidence you have against Materazzi!! This time he was at the receiving end of whatever whoever posted the video is accusing him of!!!

And whoever is trying to highlight Materazzi’s hard tackling game should also remember that ZIDANE himself have been red carded 14 times in his career!!! Now that’s a lot of cards for an attacking midfielder!! So please spare us the blame game…Zidane is accountable for what happened last night!!

Show me a single Italian fan that is not an Italian or of Italian descent. It’s either zilch or very few. Although the players have a lot of talent, the things that stand out of the Italian national team are their arrogance, crybabiness, spoilt bratness, dirty play, theatrics, and did I mention arrogance. No grace, no worldly stature, no class, just plain ‘ol dirty. That’s why the Italian team doesn’t win a lot of fans worldwide. Football today needs players with class, such as Pele, Platini, Zidane, etc. Yes, even Zidane still has more class than the entire Italian team combined. My only regret was that the head butt was not to the face. Why not? The Italians have a history of hitting (and spitting) players on the face.

hey football fan stop your bashing we all can say that america is the true terrorists with their attacking of other countries ( the arab world) trying to take control of their oil.
remember who built you fu*#@G
country you a–

I’m definitely not defending either action, nor am I bashing Italy. Their play was fantastic the entire tournament, the video is just an interesting look at the way Materazzi plays the game. Italian fan, French fan, whatever, you can’t deny the guy’s got some ill intentions. You’re right though, Zidane’s 98 assault was no less violent.

football-fan i didn’t think people as stupid and blatently racist as you could type let alone make a sentence!

are YOU a redneck? or are you just inbred? please for the love of god wear protection when your with your sister! we have enough dead weight on this planet as it is.

ZIDANE kicking the ass of the italian homos was a very good job and don’t worry zidane won a world cup befor and MVP this year so f**k you all and f**k carnivore or carnavaro did carnavaro score a gole? I don’t think so

Materazzi may be a harsh player but in this tournament he played very decent…and still was unjustifiably punished for being Marco Materazzi against Australia!! His challenge was no where near that of brazilian Juan on Patrick Viera!! The same Spanish referee sent Materazzi off and only yellow carded Juan!! So all of you Materazzi bashers here, please shut up!! Now he’s a world champion whether you like it or not!!

There is no way that Zidane should have won this award. Fifa keeps touting it’s “fair-play” initiative, and rightfully skipped over Ronaldo as best young player. Why be hypocritical and reward Zidane for such an attack? Fair-play? I think not. This award was given purely for sentimental reasons as it was Zidanes final appearance. Any other year he would have been lost in the shuffle. He is an attacking midfielder and is looked to to provide goals. He only had 3, and two of them came from the penalty spot. Materazzi, a DEFENDER had 2 goals. Now, I’m not defending Materazzi’s agressive style of play, because he is often careless and unsensible with his limbs, however Zidanes attack is unforgivable. Whatever Materazzi said, it was just words, and doesn’t justify a brutal headbutt. The award for this year’s golden ball is a sham. It is also a blemish upon Zidane’s wonderful career, and a shame on Fifa for selecting him.

zizou for king of the world!

dear lq my congrulations for your vocabulary. All this great distinction!!! Please reassure me, you are not an italian, are you?? Just a poor guy. With my sympathy.

Italians defend to much and look what mataraz did long time ago….WOW! are the French fans, AKA Italian Haters, grasping at straws or what?

To much defence huh…go look at the attacking stats for the tounrament, we are second for goals and first for shots on goal. way ahead of France.

France commits the most atrotious foul ever, in World Cup history and still we are the bad guys.

We cant please the non-italians cause they hate us brothers, remember that.
We are a strong and bueatiful nation overflowing with passion, the girls love us and now we are four time world champs. its pure jelousy.

“Show me a single Italian fan that is not an Italian or of Italian descent.”

I watched the world cup in Boston, and the streets were alive with joy at Italy’s victory. Everyone was happy,m everyone was joyous. When I (an Italian supported on non-Italian descent) rode my bike down the street with an Italian flag on, dozens of people waved or cheered.

There are hundreds of thousands of Italians fans who aren’t Italian, because the Italians play great football. Sorry you don’t live in a place where people are happy for yesterday’s victory.

to lg:

It is sad that partisanship should cloud the judgement of people.

There is no discussion that ZZ did wrong and the card was deserved. Now for you to say that Zidane is “a very dirty player that keeps blaming others for his actions” is simply untrue and I would like you to give references to your affirmation…

He just NEVER did that.

EVERYTIME he was booked because of his temper, he only blamed himself, and no one else.
As a side note, every one of his bookings were because he retaliated against fouls committed on him (which is of course not an excuse, but an explanation…). So ZZ has got a temper, and that is his weakness. For me, it makes him all the greater, because there is no hero without a weakness (remember Achilles?). Despite all the fully deserved superlatives, he is in fact just a human being, like you and me, and not a god or an extra-terrestrial.

Same for last night, his only words were for excusing himself for letting the team down at the worst moment. He has not accused anybody of anything, he only said that he will explain the incident in a few days.

Look for the spanish press, whose team got cricified by ZZ in a crucial game, for a more sober and cooler perspective on last night match, and on Zidane’s character and sportsmanship.

And you just NEVER saw ZZ “plays the referee” or faking.

For me, I will remember the man who shot a “panenka” in a World Cup final. Talk about class…

I believe that true football lovers around the world are able to see beyond their support for their preferred team (or flag, as it seems for some…)and put ZZ in his due place, among the greatests there ever were, if not the greatest, period.

ZZ said he was quitting because “it was not as much fun as before”.

Reading some of the comments here and there, where hatred and insults of all kind seem to prevail, and the purpose and beauty of the game seem to be lost to but a few,I wonder if he may have been right, one last time…

footiefan.”brutal headbutt”I think you would say theatrical headbutt or ridiculous headbutt. Hope Materrazi could survive it.

frantz:

You said:

“And you just NEVER saw ZZ faking.

Well, just last maatch, our very own favorit blogger Bob said, during the liveblog:

“42:57: Zidane showing that diving isn’t just for the young kids.”

And, indeed, watching the tape, that was a pretty obvious dive.

Thierry,
He turned around and sucker-headbutted a running player in the sternum. The shot came as a suprise and he might as well have turned around and punched him. Also, your head is far harder then you fist, and to hit a running/jogging player in the sternum, you could do some serious damage. You can’t actually be trying to justify that attack or downplay it as something that was exaggerated!
I’m neither a French nor Italian fan, so I take no sides here. I just appreciate good football. Zidane is great, but that headbutt (the worst of his 5) will be remembered forever.

Charolastra: If this man is not fascist what is? see this clip (lq, that one is for you too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gyu8W1g2co&search=materazzi%20%22sorin%22

And if you are sensitive about that word, I will change it to dirty or savage or whatever name you feel comfortable with.

Joe: The PK results that always sends the Italian team home is a natural result of the defensive, heavly tactical, and boring football that Italy plays. They did that in 1994, which was one of the most boring finals ever to watch. Italian tactic is always heavy on defense, rough plays, with mediocre type attackers that can only finish the game – That’s how they won in 82 and how they reached the final in 1994 and that’s how their mediocre attackers such as Schilachi and Rossi make it to be top scorers. One bright aspect of Italian football is their goalies, which I must say are world class – their defenders on the other hand are trash-class (please refer to the link above for an example and watch the supposed to be top man Cannavoro plays yesterday. Full of fouls)

Another super boring final that comes to mind – though on the club level- was the Championship game between Milan and Jueventus, which surprise surprise also finished in the dull PK!!

Brenny: They scored more goals because they did not face any major team – except for the U.S and Germany (which, I give it to them, that they knew how to win it – that’s all.) Unlike France which faced Spain, Brazil, and Portugal – all heavy and skill-full teams – So, I hope that no one plays like the Italians because that would make football a real boring sport – for that look at how boring the Italian Siera A is compared to the Spanish and the English leagues -

A love story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NseFJTST4Tc

Mike tell me, what ’s wrong with your life?? And who are your best player??

Nawaf, while we’re comparing histories, remember that this is hardly the first time that Zidane has shown ugly rage in the game.

In the 2000 Champions League match between Juventus Turin and Hamburger SV, Zidane headbutted Jochen Kientz savagely, fracturing his cheekbone, and got a red card and five game suspension for it. And don’t forget how he he stamped on Saudi captain Fuad Amin, which got him a well deserved red card and a two game suspension.

He has 14 career red cards, which is actually exptremely high compared to most midfielders.

Sure, we can look at Materazzi’s history (a couple of those fouls were really bad), but it is certainly no worse than Zidane’s (at least Materazzi fouls people during play, not headbutting someone while the referee isn’t looking), and anyway, Materazzi didn’t do anything “thuggish” in yesterday’s game, while Zidane most clearly did.

I don’t understand why so many people are trying so hard to excuse such inexcusable behaviour.

Thierry: Excuse me? Why did I say to deserve such an insult?

Just because I said that people in Boston were happy for Italy’s victory? Or because I mentioned that Bob said Zizou dived?

to frantz zidane is great no doubt about it ,but back in 98 the same remarks were made for why he did what he did,and that was he was reacting to racial slurs. by the way you seem to be the only french supporter on this sight with a clear perspective on things, it wpould be nice if i could say the same for the others making some of their ridiulous comments

To all you Italian posters:

If you like Italy so much, move there. Who would you cheer for if Italy was playing your home country (Canada/U.S.)?

From what I saw, all footballers dive.

tony:

Are you Italian or Canadian? What’s this “we” garbage?

We all need a joke right now and Marco, you just made me laugh at your GOLDEN BOOT comment there. =)

Let me just say ZZ was probably frustrated because ITALY scored a goal, too to tie the game and he almost made a fantastic goal on that header only to be spoiled by BUFFON. FRANCE had to give it their all to get the title but ITALY wouldn’t let them have it easy. ZIDANE may have been the main man but it was AZZURRI’s moment to shine, too.

ITALY knew what lay ahead after the OT but they all survived the dreaded shootout. They made it! TROPHY well-earned? Definitely.

JB: What kind of stupid comment was that? Do you only watch US teams, eat US food, speak only English, watch only US movies, never leave the US?

I am perfectly happy supporting Italy. If they played the US, I’d probably support the US as they are the underdogs.

What kind of racist world do you live in where you tell Italy supporters to get out of your country?

JB: What kind of childish comment was that? Do you only watch US teams, eat US food, speak only English, watch only US movies, never leave the US?

I am perfectly happy supporting Italy. If they played the US, I’d probably support the US as they are the underdogs.

What kind of pathetic world do you live in where you tell Italy supporters to get out of your country? Your childish comment was the equivalent of “Well, if you like Zidane so much why don’t you marry him?”

And of course Tony is Italian: he said as much in his post. Is that a problem for you, that Italians might be on your continent?

Mike: Zaidane only reacts to the hits and constant fouls that dirty players like the thug Materazzi does to him. When hit, he will hit back fare and square. Materazzi and other Italian players that is how they play the game — always been like that always will be like that — I think Frantz puts it real well , so please read his comment

Btw, they like Italy in Boston, because Boston has so many Italians in it, I bet you were ridding your bike in the North End

JB:

I am perfectly happy supporting Italy. If they played the US, I’d probably support the US as they are the underdogs.

What kind of pathetic world do you live in where you tell Italy supporters to get out of your country? Your childish comment was the equivalent of “Well, if you like Zidane so much why don’t you marry him?”

And of course Tony is Italian: he said as much in his post. Is that a problem for you, that Italians might be on your continent?

I am perfectly happy supporting Italy. If they played the US, I’d probably support the US as they are the underdogs.

What kind of path etic world do you live in where you tell Italy supporters to get out of your country? Your chi ldish comment was the equivalent of “Well, if you like Zidane so much why don’t you marry him?”

And of course Tony is Italian: he said as much in his post. Is that a problem for you, that Italians might be on your continent?

What, are all comments being moderated now? My comments had no swear words, no insults, nothing controversial at all. Why won’t it get through?

to footiefan
No try to justify anything. Because it’s a violent act. But for me this headbutt ’s far less dangerous than all the tackles you could received in a match. Materrazi play some theatrical move and stay on the pitch then a few minutes after the card look like a flower. Don’t think ZZ don’t really want to hurt him , it’s just a nervousness act. Some bad italians fans and others (not always for good reasons) see a good occasion to run down this champ. Lost memory about all anti play act of all their champs.
With my sympathy.

Dear Mike you don’t answer to my question who are your favorite player??

Im of Italian blood, and in canada we are not a ‘melting pot’ like in the USA. We are Italian or Portuguese or Pakistani first and then canadian…its great cause canadadian culture is an oxymoran..all we have is our roots. Peace and I love all cultures…I try to anyway:)

Congratulations to Italy…But the truth is France played a much better game than Italy,I love to watch Zidane play Football as I believe he’s one of the best Football players in the world, but I still blame him for his actions against the Italian defender Marco Materazzi, and am sure Marco insulted him, but hopefully FIFA will investigate the incident.

Gentlemen, (I don’t seem to see any ladies on this blog)

DC was alive and well celebrating the Azzurri win yesterday! People of all ethnic backgrounds, Arab, Persian, South Asian, Latino, and European (including Italians of course) were celebrating for hours, singing and dancing, and jumping into the fountains!

As for Zizou, I’m proud to see that the Berber phoenix rose from his ashes to be honored with the Golden Ball. I think its fair to say that since the press were the one’s who honored him with this title, his memory and place in football history will be well placed.

Ciao!

Soccer fan fo’life!

Congrats to Italy for winning the WC. I was rootin for France, but it was’nt meant to be.

As for Zizou, its sad that his career ended the way it did, but honestly, I still have tonnes of respect for him. I think he’s a soccer legend, and honestly, what’s a legend w/o some controversy?? None of us will ever know what happened in that moment b/w him and Materazzi for him to snap like that, and i dont think it really matters at the end of the day. 20 yrs from now, i wonder if ppl will really care about the incident, or will just remember him for the great player he was. He reminds me of Maradona, he’s like another mad genius. At the end of the day, Zizou is just human and he made a mistake, its sad but it happens.

If the a..hole called Zidane a terrorist, completely understand the reaction; 10 minutes left and running on empty, the game clearly headed for PK’s, he saw the need to stand up to that sort of skulduggery. Six months from now, the only thing we’ll remember of this game is Zidane teaching this scumbag a lesson with the Dive Team’s win on PK’s a statistic.

i love how the English media lies and says that a racist comment was made…now lets look at the rare possiblity of this.

1. What language was spoke by Matterrazzi and does Zidane understand Italian? Doubt it!

2. Nobody including me knew Zidane was Arab so how could you tell because he looks white. I thought he was a french person and the French and Italians are both friends, neighbors and considered caucasion so no racism exists between european countries.

3. Neither Zidane nor Matterazzi have talked to the media about the incident so where is this information about “racist comment” coming from.

4. The news, media want a big story and will lie and do anything to make people listen to a story. Thats why all you see on the news is the bad, negative because people are drawn to FEAR and Terror so its no surprise that the comment “terrorist” was mixed into the headbutt from Zidane.

5. Nobody cares what was said and the real shameful act was seen on camera and not heard.
The act of poor sportsmanship.
The act of trying to hurt the opponent in frustration of an old and dying player…his name his image is known as Zidane.
He did not deserve the golden ball but he did deserve the golden boot out of the stadium.

BYE BYE Zidane you just earned a REDCARD for being a stupid captain and you cost your team a championship. Clearly he is a dumb player and should have retired a long time ago.

What are you saying??????

“”"Gardian newspaper : Materazzi called zidan a African terrorist.”"”

do you really think that?

Hei man?? do you know that journalist said and say lots of stupid things and not only about that!!!!!!!!!!!???? try to think with your head and not through a newspaper!!!! I can’t stand journalists and newspaper and this newspaper said a stupid thing!!!!!!!!

I’ve seen two theories of what Matterazi said to Zidane. The first is that he called Zidane a terrorist, which some people say, but Matterazi denied. The other theory (which many Brazilians believe) is that he called Zidane’s sister a dirty prostitute.

No doubt the best player of his generation won. Congratulations for Zidane!
As a former player from the old country, I am not sympathizing with Zidane, but I understand sometimes in Soccer these things happen and are not justifiable, I know it because I’ve been there and I challenge any one who play or played the game to deny it. Lets get over it the man is only a himan being and he knows he did a mistake.

Mike, re “I saw Zidane dive once”….

You know what I meant.

ZZ is one of the cleanest player to ever have played at that level of the game.

I hope you can still find time to see the beauty where it is, and not look purposely for the eventual defect; even Leonardo Da Vinci missed some paintstrokes too.

Zidane has not given his account of the incident but there have been reports Materazzi had called him a “terrorist”,suggested he did not have the right to play for France — both insults based on French-born Zidane’s Algerian heritage and had also called his sister an Algerian “slut” or prostitute.

ZZ truly deserved the Golden Ball. He made not only French team but also the World Cup enjoyable and memorable. I am very glad that his fellow French people warmly welcomed him home. He led the team to the second best in the World.

We are all shocked with the red card. But after a few years, all we remember will be his graceful soccer.

ZZ, thank you for the wonderful time.

Martin Tyler, who I think is the best and fairest commentator from England, made the remark during the Final, the moment of Zidane’s folly that “you can spend 15 years building up a great reputation and then 15 secs to destroy it”. He also said that there is absolutely no excuse for what Zidane had done, no matter how great that player is. My sentiments entirely.

As a follow up, Zidane did not deserve the Golden Ball, that moment of madness is inexcusable and he should not have been considered. The prize is decided by media votes at the tournament, and seems to have been based on sadness for Zidane. Zidane received 2,012 votes, Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro finished second (1,977) and his team-mate Andrea Pirlo was third (715).

Ok, so many of you believe Zidane actually didn’t deserve the Golden Ball, or has no justification for his actions, and in that I agree, eventhough I have loved him since before Juve, and believe me I know all of his red cards and all that.

However you need to see behind all this, Zidane, withouth doubt is one of the greatest players I have ever seen, his contribution in the World Cup was far better than any other player, see Cannavaro for instance, and count how many fouls he had. Zidane made a mistake, it was wrong indeed, but Italy is well known for not having ” fair play” and I have no comments about MAtteratzi. Italy deserved the World CUp as much as Zidane deserved the golden ball, because he we is and will be the greatest player. I hope you see it, and try to see behind the much published ” headbutt”

Rubbish roger martin tyler also said that “I think Materazzi might have infringed one of the banners against Racism at this ground here today”. ZIDANE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS THE GREATEST OF HIS GENERATION and what he done yesterday will make him all the more memorable. He only enhanced his greatness yesterday, by stating I am not ONLY ONE OF THE GREATEST FOOTBALLERS EVER BUT I AM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THERE ARE SOMETHINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOTBALL!!! AND I AIN’T GONNA LET RACIST ASSHOLES GET AWAY WITH LOW-LIFE COMMENTS.

He will always be a GREAT, kids luv him and his tricks out on the field are copied by millions around the world who all know that he was one of the BEST EVER!!! Congrats Zidane the Golden ball is the least you deserved you are a true and utter CHAMPION!!!

Rubbish roger martin tyler also said that “I think Materazzi might have infringed one of the banners against Racism at this ground here today”. ZIDANE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS THE GREATEST OF HIS GENERATION and what he done yesterday will make him all the more memorable. He only enhanced his greatness yesterday, by stating I am not ONLY ONE OF THE GREATEST FOOTBALLERS EVER BUT I AM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THERE ARE SOMETHINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOTBALL!!! AND I AIN’T GONNA LET RACIST ASSHOLES GET AWAY WITH LOW-LIFE COMMENTS.

He will always be a GREAT, kids luv him and his tricks out on the field are copied by millions around the world who all know that he was one of the BEST EVER!!! Congrats Zidane the Golden ball is the least you deserved you are a true and utter CHAMPION!!!

roger” based on sadness for Zidane”

Hope for you, You had seen Zidane was a great player,also you could buy his videos, could make a change for you. So boring are australian and english football!!!Explain me what do you think about rooney or beckham(in 1998) expulsions Or about the fact that austrlians players sent Dugarry at hospital in an amical match???

Oh and roger, the fact he won doesn’t shows pity for him, but admiration with or withouth headbutt, that yeah its inexcusable, but doesn’t take away he was the greatest player, at least see that.

I recall Maradona was sent off because of a brutal challenge in the World Cup. He was also one of the greatest players, but he didn’t receive the Golden Ball. He left in disgrace. Be objective. Also, Thierry, your words “So boring are australian and english football” is childish. There is no reason for such a comment, for it easily an unnecessay put down. You are making a personal attack through the football played by my country. Most uncalled for, just as like Zidane’s headbutt.

congraturation! Italy, but yet, you didn’t proof it to me as a soccer nation to win the cup. I believe it’s just by chance you won. I was trying to find one player from your team as the best player, but unfortunately, I didn’t get one. They played good as a team, but they didn’t convince me. I thank God that, fifa oficials seen what I saw and chosed the great Z Z as the best player of the 2006 world cup. No matter what happened, Z Z is the best player in 2006 world cup. And I believed everybody knows that. Frank sarfo (canada)

bd (what’s you real name) this is a blog about soccer not misinformed historians.

The Italians didn’t kill Jesus, it was the Romans, 2,000 years ago. Pontius Pilate who, responding to the Pharisees who had brought Christ in front of him, asked the people of Gerusalem what they wanted to do with him. They asked him to kill Jesus and so he did, because he did not want trouble with the locals.

Are you Spanish?
Emperor Trajan, Spanish, 98/117 AD
Emperor Hadrian, Spanish, 117/138 AD
Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Spanish, 161/180

Did you ever hear of the slaughters of the Spaniards over the Spanish Jews and Moors? Did you ever read Bartolome’ de las casas’ accounts of what the Spaniards did to the Central and South American Indians? Did you ever read about Franco Caudillo de Espana?

Coming closer to soccer:

Do you know that Aragones, the Spanish trainer was investigated for his racist remarks against black players?

Today’s article clarifies a little the issue of what Materazzi said to Zidane. Read it:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373706&cc=5901

“He’s a soccer legend, and honestly, what’s a legend without controversy?” haha, so true OilerFan. Perhaps not the way it should be, but it certainly is the way it tends to be. And it keeps things interesting, anyhow.

I think Cannavaro was more consistent during the World Cup and probably did have the better tournament all-around. But Zidane’s great moments (particularly vs Brazil) were just vibrant and exquisite; his highs were higher than Cannavaro’s highs. And yeah, he definitely had the sentimental vote. I think it comes down to what you admire, incredible consistency or a few moments of pure brilliance. Personally I prefer Zidane for the award, but I think Cannavaro is equally deserving.

Dear roger,
Didn’t want to injure you, sorry.Are You australian or english? In fact it’s just my opinion, and opinion of a lot.I almost sleeped when england’s team played and almost laught when soocerroos played.With my sympathy.

Zidane is a great player and deserved the golden ball! The only reason people might feel otherwise is because of the last significant thing he did, the head butt. No matter how well he played in the tournament, that is what will be remembered the most by many. But it amazes me how a player can provoke another player and that’s ok, forgiven and forgotten, but when another player reacts to it and defends themselves, they are the bad guy and they are penalized. So it is in soccer, so it is in life. C’est la vie….sigh…

VIVA ITALIA!! AVANTI AZURRI :)

Italy played very well, they deserved the win. As far as ZZ is concerned is a good player he has been one of my favorites, but to be the best you need to show professionalism and not react, you can’t have your emotions get the best of you in anything we do in life.
Italia #1…Congratulations!
Daniela

I was born in Italy, lived in Brazil and I love both countries and teams. I wanted Brazil to winn at all but that didn’t happen. Italy played very well, they have accomplished alot this year in the World Cup, they played together and with alot of love for their country, they deserved to win. Congratulations! As far as ZZ is concerned I feel bad for him because he let his emotions get to him, and to be the champion you have to go past that, this is about playing the best game ever for the world and for your country and ZZ didn’t show that yesterday at all, and the results were that Italy won and France lost! I hope ZZ realizes what he did and also the world can move on from this scandal and let’s get ready for the 2010 World’s Cup!
Bacci a tutti!

Daniela from Boston Massachusetts :)

“Here is your chance to look at the real demon called Materazzi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq6HosVlskQ&search=materazzi ”

This guy is the bad guy…like a “goon” in hockey. Someone was due to go after him, although this wasn’t the smartest time. Zidane, despite this act, is still one of the most electrifying players ever.

well materrazzi was like what was ronaldo to england I bet he studied Zidane’s history and knew his weakness. Zidane was sensitive ever since the day one he entered professional club and nobody could do anything. he was shy , modest guy and hid his feelings as he is doing now. One thing that provoked him was calling him “son of traitor” refering to Algerian blood. I guess verbal abuse is tantamount to physical…he deserved better.

Oh yeah btw here is the video of the great marco materrazzi…history speaks it all..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHkbRYEl3KQ

I’ll tell you who will never win the team fair play award – The Machiavellian Italian team (well the 2006 mob anyway)

Hmmm Machiavellianism – where the means justifies the end no matter what the cost, named after the Italian politician who made it infamous…. coincidence I THINK BLOODY NOT. Shameful display.

@ Thierry,

My last comment to you is that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

And there are a lot of People Telling that Portuguese Players are No Fair Players!

Compare to ITALIANS, Portuguese Players are an ANGELS!

Zidane would never do what it did!!
No matter what Materrazzi said!!

Zidane wasn’t crazy to hit an opponnnent with out any reason.Now,FIFA and the world should appologize the Germans ,and should’t have given the world champion title to the Italians rather only after the investigation because FIFA’s chmpion should be out of concern about any player’s color and background.

Zidane is a bum and deserves to have his lasting meemory being the cheap shot he did …A world class player should set a better example of controlling his temper and being the sportsman a “Captain” should show!!!

i vote for zidane

he won the golden ball. italy won the world cup in its own way never done by other team before. i pity italy to win in such manner. materazzi will be remembered as player of an alley class player of low morality, a mutant of Bush.

Zidane snapped – What was it? I don’t know – Provocation? – perhaps extreme provocation? He lost control – France lost control of the Game and finally lost on penalties – a speciality of Zidane. Very, very sad all of this – You know, our parents used to tell us “Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but nicknames…” – Evidently Zidane was hurt and unable to control himself – and then lashed out to hurt someone else unexpectedly. My Dad in the old country used to say Rugby is a hooligans game played by Gentlemen and Soccer (Football) is a gentlemen’s game played by hooligans! – But all this has just shown me from the hand of God Maradonna incident to this farce – that somewhere along the line we have all lost it! Good God – when winning is the only thing that counts regardless of fair play and when we justify it because our own country is the culprit and benefits from it with the trophies … how far we have slipped down this slippery slope. And when we let our country down because we can’t control our emotions – it’s a sad reflection on the state of many players maturity – the fakers, the actors, the cheaters, the tormentors, the teasers and the thugs – and this is what they seem to want. Let the next game be played without referees and linesmen to please them all and see what kind of a game they come up with. Are you all content with this foolishness?

I am so glad that FIFA is investigating Zidane’s head-butt on the Italian Player. If Materazzi insulted him in a such horrendous way he should be banned from soccer. Soccer unites people of all background and insult by someone already called monster in his own country should be investigated. Congratulations Fifa for looking into the matter. Punish whoever is guilty.

I have always admired the football skills of Zidane, but he does not deserve the Golden Ball. I believe that once a player committs a foul such as that committed by Zidane, the he automatically disqualifies himself from being considered as “the most outstanding player of the tournament”. Also, this is not the first time Zidane has done something like this in a World Cup. In 1998, during France’s second match of the first round, he received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on Saudi Arabia’s team captain Fuad Amin for no apparent reason. Reports from people close to Zidane state that Amin had provoked him verbally. Sound’s familiar? An “outstanding player” should not only be judged on his football skills, but also on his mental capacity to control his temper and to think of his team before himself. In this final Zidane let down his team, his country and himself, that’s why hg cried walking into the dressing room.

It’s a sad day for soccer(football). The way Italy won they’ve got nothing to brag about. The truth will eventually come out & I hope FIFA will hold an inquiry into this situation. “End Racisim” was the theme?? Someone should have reminded Materazzi! I’ve viewed some of the video blogs of Materazzi’s style of play & I’m at odds as to how he’s still allowed to play “The Beautiful Game”. As to Zidane, in my eyes he’s still the best & a classy player. Though in this case he left the referee no option.

First off, Zidane is a white Frenchman…lets not pull out the racist card.

Secondly, I saw photos of Zidane shaking hands with French President today. I think this is just a political attempt by France to save some face. And get sympathy! Zidane is always talking about racism…why? I think the French are poor losers. The got their first goal on a fake penalty. Italians made two goals, one of which was unfairly dismissed. France, stop crying and accept you lost! Zidane, you may be a good athelete, but you have poor sportsmanship.

Here’s an article about what Brzilian lip-reading experts thought Materazzi said:

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=276858&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__sport/

“The former Real Madrid star’s moment of madness in his last match before retiring may have been provoked by Materazzi calling his sister a prostitute, according to a report on Brazilian television channel Globo.”

Zinedine Zidane is most player in world cup 2006, red card for Zidane is fair but Matterazi provoctis racism

Zinedine Zidane is most player in world cup 2006, red card for Zidane is fair but Matterazi provoct is racism

See what Henry had to say…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE30z83dJS0

sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE30z83dJS0

i vote for zidane.

they knew his weakness and they play with words rather than their feet and head. he had been provoked many times and eventually he lost. italy should play fair, not with some looser’s lip tactics.

yes, no matter what, zidane should not loose his coolness. that is what everybody says but could you if you are in his boots? easier said than done.

most people can tolerate word attacks against self but not to immediate family, religion or race. if it was true as what was claimed about Materazzi, he is a disgrace to football.

As for who should win the most valuable player, I think Zinedine deserves the trophy for his individual effort throughout the tournament.

If you look at the whole tournament, he carried his team through. Without him there is no way that France would have made the final.

In Italy’s case they were moreso a complete team so I do not think there is one player that was more valuable than the rest. It was a real team effort and their trophy was the cup and even Cannavaro said so.

As for the headbutt, if it was a racist comment that was said, there should be action against Materazzi.

I am an Italian fan and if it is true that he said racial slurs or comments against Zinedine’s family, I am ashamed for him. Racist comments are disgraceful! And he, and others, need to learn that such comments are not tolerated. And now that the whole world is watching, it would be a good time for FIFA to make an example of this!

The video though is misleading because all we see it the reaction (headbutt). We don’t really know what is being said.

Next time maybe they should equip the sidelines with microphones that only the officials have access to so that way when there has to be an investigation, we will know the truth of what is being said!

I also vote for zidane. I know its not good to judge a book by its cover but Matarazzi just looks like a sneaky little F….

Its sad too admit but in the heat of the moment – depending on what he said – I would have floor him as well.

does anyone think that maybe Zinedine WON’T retire?

He obviously still has the talent and the Euro is only 2 years away.

I don’t see how France will be able to be as competitive without him in the lineup next time.

Plus he has already come out of retirement once so who’s to say he won’t do it again.

By the way, there is a match between Italy and France coming up on September 6th as a qualification for the Euro and it is in Paris. Wonder what kind of reception Materazzi will get? ;)

It is really sad to see how many bloggers have to find the negatives of the World Champion Italian Azurri team. When you play to win, you do what you have to do to be on top without getting ejected. It happens in almost every sport. Zidane can’t handle negative comments, which shows that he has no integrity and that he was frustrated, especially when is attempted winning goal was blocked by the great Buffon. There were plenty of dirty moves by the French (oh, most of them from other countries, not really French blood)and you cry babies out there couldn’t bring them issues up. The best team won and deserve nothing but honor and to rule with the cup for the next FOUR YEARS! Forza Azurri ….Viva Italia!

I VOTE FOR ZIDANE!

Even if Zidane had beaten Brazil twice, in 98 and in 06, I must confess I love his elegant style, and his introspective personality. He was the only great player (”craque” as we call here in Brasil), that made an indivudal performance significant enough to change completely a games result. He was the best player of the final match, was brilliant in the game verus Brasil, was really good in the game versus Spain.

I wanted Italy to win the finals, because I didnt want to see Henry and Domenech lift the Cup. One hour after Italy win, I knew I was wishing wrong all along. Italy is a team full of players with deeply questionable character, Buffon was betting in games he already knew what the score would be, Lippi was also involved in the Italian federation scandal, De Rossi is an animal that savagely attacked an american in the Italy X USA match, and Materazzi…. Its by far the world´s most violent player. Just do a quick search in youtube.com and you´ll be shocked. And those were the guys that lift the great cup.

Zidane was the character of the championship, the best player by far, and the player most deeply involved and commited this World Cup. The headbut revealed the human on the hero Zidane, his weakness was to let his emotions overcome him with immediate, surprising, decisive, objetive, precise action. Thats how he played. And now we are celebrating thieves, cheaters and brutal smartasses, that cleverly managed to take out of the way the only man that had the “beautiful game” with him in this competition.

I just want to add don’t judge the whole team of Italy based on what Materazzi might have done :(

I am an Italian fan and am proud of the players, how they played as a team to win the Cup.

But if Materazzi did what everyone says he did, HE did it not Italy.

It is so disturbing that many have been so quick to attack Zinedine Zidane. Likely one of the most gracious, polite and sportsman-like players in professional football/soccer, it is more than obvious to me that he was provoked by Materrazzi with totally unacceptable and unsportsmanlike slurs. As they are known not only for their outstanding diving performances that could win them medals in the Olympic pool, but also for their nasty play on the pitch, I would not be at all surprised if this was a planned scheme by the Italian team when they realised that they were heading for a shootout, in which the talented Zidane would pose a major threat.

I do not condone what Zidane did, but I also do not condone that an obviously highly offensive slur was intentionally and maliciously directed towards him. In my opinion not only should Zidane have been red carded, but Materrazzi, should also have been red carded for his obvious unsportsmanlike and possibly socially unacceptable comment.

I hope that Zidane soon exposes to the world what was said to him that caused his extreme action on the field. Not until then will we know the truth, and not until then will we or the media have the right to attempt to damage his reputation or tar his illustrious career.

If what was said by Materazzi proves to be unacceptable, I trust that the Italian team and all Italian supporters will feel shame for the nasty play with which their player chose to engage himself on the pitch. I also hope that the shame that the World press is aiming at Zidane will also be rightly directed at Materazzi, the Italian team and their supporters for glorifying a tainted

I just watched a video clip that showed the violent field exploits of Materazzi. This guy is as brutal and obnoxious as they come. Knowing about his past, I wonder why he was never sanctioned. How can Italy be proud of this Psycho wearing their national colors. It’s dispeakable.

FIFA should appologise to Zidane. The referee was hasty with the red card on Zidane who was clearly the victim here. Must Italy win at all cost? Cry for me France. The horrow! the horrow!

Materazzi allegedly called Zidane’s sister a prostitute.

http://voyage.typepad.com/china/2006/07/materazzi_calle .html

(Brazilian Globo TV via AFP)

Believe it or not…

I am quite sure if you get soccer footage from Zidane for the past 10 years or so, you can compile a rather nasty collage from some of his dirty plays, with much repeated clips of the same incident. The cry babies had to find what they could about Materazzi to make him look bad. The fact is, he is a hard player and plays to win. Agressive players can hurt/injure themselves as well as others, but its part of the game. Verbal abuse in sports has been around since the inception of sports. If you’re strong willed player, you blow off ANY words, and respond with your skills on the field…use your head (brains) and NOT your HEAD. With that in mind, Salute the Great Italian team which is NUMBER ONE and Well Deserving of the cup. Lastly Canavarro should have gotten the MVP Golden trophy….He Played 110% all the time with tenacity and talent! Viva Azurri!!

Look, what Zidane did will not harm what I think of him as a player: the greatest we had in the past 10 years (the goofy Brazilian first has to proof things, before he deserves such acclaim). Nevertheless, what Zidane did was simply wrong. Obviously he has been provoked and Materazzi should be punished for it as well. That doesn’t justify what he Zizou did on the pitch though. If he really called his sister a whore…well, go up to him after the game an knock him out all you want. On the pitch there’s no room for that – otherwise football succumbs to AFL standards.

Zidane: you ruled over the past 10 years. Too bad it had to end this way though.

All you whimps.
Let’s get the issue in the right perspective.

1) Zidane was a great player and thats a fact. No one will disput about that so no need to keep singing praises for him.

2) The red card that sent him off the is just, even though he is the greatest player that ever lived. Had it been Materrazzi that head-butt Zidane (instead of the other way round), all you whimps will say the same thing.

3) IF (repeat IF) what Materrrazzi said to Zidane is way-out-line, then the italian did wrong. But he should be punished accordingly, not by vigilante style.

4) I said IF because i want to remind u all whimps. If u look at the match carefully, Zidane and Materrazzi were engaged in an exchange of words — before the head-butt action. So it means Zidane also said some things to materrazzi. If Materrazzi had insulted/provoked Zidane without any reason, then its right for Zidane to be offended but– BUT — his action taken was still considered wrong. Because there is no justification for Zidane to retaliate PHYSICALLY in reaction to Verbal assault.

5) Up to now Zidane did not clarify what Materrazzi said. To me this is silly. If someone had unjustly insulted u, and u used violence to retaliate — in front of millions of people — wouldnt u try to justify yourself by telling the world how that guy had insulted u and yr race and your family and your dog etc…???

6) Also, the golden ball should have been awarded to the player who played well as well as played respectfully. I dont care whetehr its italian or French, but surely u cannot allow Zidane to have it. U are setting a good example to the world what an IDEAL footballer is like. So what Zidane did in the tournament cannot make him qualify for the award this time.

Hopefully the truth will come out and show this little puke for what he truly is. I hope the Italian fans are proud of Mater-Nazzi!

To Vince from the US who states that, “When you play to win, you do what you have to do to be on top without getting ejected.” This is the unsportsmanlike attitude that makes people not like or appreciate whatever talent the Italian football team may possess. It is not about winning at any cost. It is about playing fairly and like a true sport with class, dignity and respect for your fellow competitor.

You also state, “Zidane can’t handle negative comments, which shows that he has no integrity” I think you need a lesson in the English language. The meaning of the word integrity is; “Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code”. So I beg to differ with your prejudice towards Zidane, but the player with no integrity in this case would be the one(Materazzi) who chooses to use unacceptable slurs against another in order to simply win, as there is no adherence to morality or ethics in such behaviour.

Italy may have won the match, but if what was said by Materazzi is revealed to be unethical and unacceptable, the reputation of not only Materazzi, but the entire Italian team and its vociferous supporters will be tainted around the world. The reputation of the Italian team as “nasty”, will forever be embedded and the World Cup victory of 2006 will be sadly viewed by the world as a contaminated victory.

In 1969, John Wayne, actor received his first and only Oscar for his role in True Grit. After almost 180 films he finally won an Oscar. But everyone knew it was not for his acting in that film but for his contribution to film industry over so many decades. And so it is with Zidane. He received his Golden Ball not for his accomplishments in this World Cup, but for his overall performance of the past 15 years, and because this is his final international. Sometimes a person must be acknowledged for his achievements over his career and one moment of madness can be dismissed as that, one moment of madness. The media representatives who voted for him, voted for his contribution to football and overlooked his warts. Who hasn’t got a wart or two.

Exactly right Vin. Zidane crushes toes (red carded) and head butts (red carded) in the past and Mattarrazzi gets the video compilation. The French just want a superstar, they don’t care if he’s got a nasty side to him so they’ll do all they can to prop him on a pedestal. Also, notice that the main nay sayers of Italy are Americans and Australians. Ever wonder why?
Yanks defending the French. Will wonders ever cease.
The better Team won. That penalty kick should never have happened (who are the divers again?) and Barthez was saved by a crossbar (and Zidane’s ‘goal’ was almost a ‘Trezeguet’).
Suck it up.

The brazilian TV had the idea of having deaf teenagers to read the lips of the brazilian players and coach, and even Portugal´s coach Felipão, in the images of the officail transmission from Germany. The result is amazing, they did that throughout the competition with the images from the Brazilian and Portugal matches. Surprisingly this TV channel, have exclusive images (I saw them myself), of the Zidane-Materazzi episode from a very close range, showing perfecly Materazzi´s face while he is talking to Zidane. I believe that we will soon know what drove Zizou mad.

I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with his sister, and comming from Materazzi (called an “animal” by the italian press), and having that effect on Zidane, I can only think of 2 things: really twisted and nasty racist agression, or something personal.

U guys cannot accept the fact that what Zidane did was wrong. U keep justifying his action which is disgusting. Had it been a “cheating Italian” that did the head-butt u would surely condemn him as the #1 public enemy, even if — even if he was “provoked” for no reason and had to subject to “racial slur”. At this point in time, Zidane cannot or dare not clarify what those provocating words were. For all u know, its Zidane who had started the words of exchange/ insults first and materrazzi was the one who finished it.

To Golden Ball,

I don’t think that I or anyone is conding Zidane’s action. The issue is that it was likely provoked, and that sort of verbal provocation is equally deserving of a red card as is a physical reaction.

Also, I am not sure that you understand how the world of professional atheltes and stars work. Sadly, they do not speak for themselves. However, wisely, their lawyers, agents and publicists handle how the situation should be best handled. You are not dealing with the average man on the street here. You are dealing with icons, superstars and individuals that unfortunately through their stardom have lost something that you and I take for granted, our privacy and the ability to speak for ourselves. I am sure that over the next few days, a statement from Zidane or his handlers will be made. This statement however may or may not reveal the truth, as it is not only Zidane and his handlers that are involved in this controversy, but the lawyers for Materazzi, the Italian and French teams, FIFA, the referees, and highly likely government representatives from the countries involved.

This is the sad reality of a superstar. So for all of you questioning Zidane’s lack of a response to all the accusations being laid, sit back and remember that it is never a good idea to go mouthing off to everyone, the wise man always, thinks about what he has to and wants to say, before saying it.

Zidane’s action was unquestionably a poor and wrong decision, however, Materazzi’s decision to engage in alleged verbal abuse, is equally wrong and deserved the same consequences. Materazzi too deserved a red card, and should not have had the right or privilege to particpate in the shootout.

However, the game of soccer is no longer a gentlemanly sport, as it is riddled with controversy, corruption and nasty play, either verbal or physical. The integrity of the sport was severely damaged by the actions of both players, and tarnished by the fact that the officials did not handle the situation fairly.

If you French people are looking for a sports hero, may I suggest Jackie Robinson. I have so much more respect for the likes of Robinson than I do for athletes like Zidane, Ron Artest or Roberto Alomar. Even if this turns out to be true that Materazzi called him a “dirty terrorist,” it still does not excuse his behavior. Zidane doesn’t even deserve to be called a man. Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson – now those were men.

Hey guys,

Anyone wants to head but the bustard Materazi?

http://tonaz.altervista.org/zidane.html

U are right that the game has been reduced to such a state.

Had materrazzi employed verbal assault tactics against Zidane, then it was un-gentlemanly of him. He should be penalized for his action – on the match or by fifa considered-action.

But Zidane should clarify immediately his case — either through his agent or his manager or some authority. But he didnt do that. Now, even if finally he makes an official statement and accuse materrazzi of verbal assault, still that does not exonerate Zidane from his phyicall assault. And still that does not make him any more qualified to accept the golden ball award.

hey zizou: VA FANCULO! nice way to end your career you terrorist. world class professional my a$$. ur lucky materazzi didnt get up and cave your head in.

And for the record, i dont want to see Zidane in this state also. But if the man doesnt own up or face up to his action quickly, he is not doing his country or football world any good.

What ever it is,
1. Italian victory was marred by the incident
2. The world will continue talking about the way it was won for sometimes and during the world cup season or even the coming european cup.
3. zidane got his golden ball.

who is the one that is loosing then?

cannavaro should have won the golden ball. After the zizou, how can you give an award to that monster. Cannavaro was the best defender and he and buffon were the reason’s they only gave up 2 goals and won the cup.

Yeah, Mater-Nazzi looked like he could really kick a$$. Rolling around like a baby on the pitch.

hey Mike ,i believe the nazi’s were german? Zizou knew he messed up big time and just lowered his head and walked away not even looking at the ref, teamates, coach, fans, or the cup. he’s a disgrace to go out like that on that big of a stage. top professionals dont loose their cool like that.
go play some hockey, you canadiens dont know $hit
BLAME CANADA

Hey everyone. Just read the comment made by ForzaMaterazzi. This is the attitude that gives the Italian team and all Italians a bad reputation. It is this sort of ignorance, arrogance and classless attitude that destroys what the spirit of the game and in fact all sport should be. However, I question that the indivisual posting the comment was actually born in Italy as he exemplifies the aggressive bullish type language of the “UGLY AMERICAN”, “BUSH-LIKE” attitude we all know and dislike so very much. It is sad that people like this have a voice, and through that voice, make it bad for others that may share a heritage, nationality or ethnicity. It is because of individuals like these that American travelling around the world, now paste and sew on their luggage, Canadian flags. However, thank God that this sort of ignorant attitude is so transparent not hidden by a mere flag.

BUSH LIKE ATTITUDE?? man be quiet. obviously being aggressive is the only way to get through to you people that Zidane performed an act only people with no integrity or class would do. Whatever materazzi said, zidane could have easily come back with something verbally, but having that terrorist blood in him , he reacted like a barbarian. but you know what it doesn’t matter, he’s done with football and the azzurri are the 06′ world champs.

Go Zidane he is a true champion and will be missed. There will only ever be one Zidane just like maradona,pele n co. He is a true great of football. All hail the master!!! :)

After seeing some of the videos about Materzzazi, i have no pity for him. What a savage piece of worthless crap. Go Zizou!!

Thanks for further stressing my earlier point. You have proven and emboldened your own ignorance. Italians wouldn’t even welcome you into Italy! You would be viewed as an embarassment and not worthy of the label Italian. They would not have kind words for you, as they would view you as the typical, American Bully mentality, so despised in all corners of the globe.

‘They knew his weakness…. He had been provoked many times and eventually he lost.’

There’s an old poem said : ‘only donkeys fell on the same pit’

Do not concern yourself, A.J Luc with ForzaMaterazzi’s opinion. It is his, and his alone. Do not generalise by saying “This is the attitude that gives the Italian team and all Italians a bad reputation”, because it doesn’t. ForzaMaterazzi has expressed an opinion. It is solely his opinion. He does not speak for all Italians just as you speak only on your behalf, and not for all Canadians – if you are Canadian. People are more prone to generalise the bad than the good because they assume that the bad is more potent and contagious. Please, everyone, do not condemn a whole nation because of one player, or because of one person’s (ForzaMaterazzi) opinion.

Hey Massimo. I am in complete aggreement with you. Take care and thanks for the message.

Just to clarify that the most of Italian fan here are not discussing the class of Zidane player.
He was probably the best player of the las 15 years (15 not 20, because Diego Armando Maradona had been an inarrivable alien for anyone of this earth).
We just cannot comprehend why all of you are accusing Materazzi.
Noone except for the two players knows what they told to each other, so why are you defending the only one who committed such a violent act?
Because you think Materazzi is a rude player? I agree with you, But also Zidane proved in his career that he can easiliy loos the head and be violent, I posted a video for who doesn’t know it http://repubblicaradio.repubblica.it/asx/search.php?player_id=3502
so stop judging Materazzi for what YOU THINK he COULD HAVE DONE and Zizou for what HE DID!
I think that if you are honest with yourself the conclusion is simple otherwise you are just masking your hate for Italian with such a poor of contents discussion.

Ciao

pota zidane!! taena mo patalo!! chololo parin!

love it or hate it ZIDANE is the best player of all time and all of you can kiss my ass

PAK Q KA ZIDANE!!!! PAtalo ka!! natalO AKO NG 1 million on my bet!! MADAH SHET!!!

good job zidane still kicking ass 4ever MVP………….LOVE IT

yuck!! you love it?! are your brokeback?! sanamabitch!!….i will slap your mouth with my feet!…

cholo paschual
I’m sorry man no hablas Gibrish?
go to the french website you w’ll be happy there

you know what I have a good idea why you guys don’t get to gether and do to zidane what the italians have done to jesus 2000 years ago like that you guys w’ll be very happy and it’s an end of a f**king story

you italians can suck my D*CK YOU KILLED JESUS NOW YOU GOING AFTER ZIDANE YOU CAN KISS MY ASS AND THE UGLY POPE CAN KISS MY ASS

I’d like to give my award, the “Golden Balls”, to the fierce Gennaro Gattuso.

FY you sanctimonious trash, how could Zidane,blah..blah…blah. A lowlife like Mothrfckerazzi surrounded by fakers and divers (Totti in the semis was a clown, diving away) there’s a great team role model for aspiring kids. The one half-way decent guy, Grosso, he wasn’t above it either when threatened with a man disadvantage over 30 OT minutes against Australia. And this is the team that scores over the head-butting Zidane in role modelling. Get a f..king brain.

For anyone supporting Zizou’s actions, its ridiculous. No matter what was said on the field by the Italian defender, a person of Zizou’s class and experience, not to mention age, should have known better and should have learned patience by now. No matter how excellent you are as a player, you are still subject to the same rulea, and if he likes, he could have traded insults with the guy, but to react like a complete brute is simply unacceptable. I agree that this should have been Cannavarro’s year for the Golden Ball, and that is that. But Zidane has marred the game and also his name and that is that. And what’s more, Italy has won the world cup, and that is that. No matter what happened in the finals, if you look at Italy’s journey to the finals, no one can say that they do not deserve it.

I have just learnt that the vote for the Golden Ball was made before the final.

I wonder how many media reps. who voted for Zidane, would have made the same decision after the final.

Before anyone starts criticizing the Italians for the way they play soccer, they should:
1) understand a little bit about soccer before opening their mouths – i.e., that there are many different styles of playing including defensive vs offensive and all are allowed in this wonderful sport
2) should know that all of the best players in the world have become the best because they have played in the Italian Serie A league and have benefited immensely from Italian coaching and
3) should learn to get their facts straight about who committed more fouls and received more cards in the world cup final – clearly it was the French based on the final game statistics and also most obviously because the French were frustrated by the Italians adapting and shifting their style of game to frustrate them.

Soccer is as much a game of STRATEGY as it is a game of passing, scoring and defending. People MUST accept the fact that different styles suit different teams and the teams that come out on top, this year it was the Italians, have the highest potential for adapting to the different styles of play.

Zidane was fantastic and well deserved the golden ball. Look at Italy, what a shame ! they are not deserve to be world champion.

Well i hope that it is proven that Materazzi made a racist comment as it will show the Italians for the underhanded ignorant foul mannererd and down right dirty individuals they are, true Zidane should not have done what he did but as a campaigner against racism if he recieved a comment such as materazzi has been accused of then he should have waited until after the game gone to italys dressing room and cut materazzi down like the little greasy turd he is!!! Anybody saying that a team who couldnt beat the USA and had the referee beat Australia for them deserves to win the cup is quite simply a monkey and probably has a similar IQ to materazzi himself
And are u really telling me it wasnt a video decision
i hope the truth is revealed and fifa take appropriate action making materazzi pay for being a slimy little facist and give Zidane an honorary award for his attack against materazzi the anti racism header!
Vive la france allez zizu and a nice big vaf fon culo to the cheating italian

hey Forzamater wtf ever shut up you l;oser
go and buy ureself a brain zidane wasnt barbaric he was like a bald anvil of justice crushing the cheating greaseballs

ZIDANE IS THE MAN OF THE GAME WORLD CUP 1998 AND A GOLDEN BALL 2006 VIVE ZIDANE AND YOU GUYS CAN HATE HIM ALL YOUR LIFE HE IS THE MAN HE IS RICH BITCH HA HA HA

VIVE ZIDANE

Both players have been known for their violence on the pitch and I think Matarazzi should be banned from international play and Zidane should be stripped of the golden ball. France and Italy have both been known for their racism so one is no better than the other. Both teams have players who dive and used those tactics to gain advantages during crucial moments of the match. Anyone who denies this haven’t been looking at ALL the evidence just seeing what they want to see and scrutinizing the teams they hate. Just silly and immature behavior from stubborn people who can’t see both sides of the story. If you hate these countries so much don’t watch their games and go find a hobby to vent your aggression. Nobody cares, the world cup is over, france lost and life goes on.

I love Italians, they won the title fair and square. Zidane’s penalty would only have tied the game and the French goalie , although a fine keeper, didn’t seem to be in the proper mind frame to stop even one penalty.’enry
(although he’s my man)was a no-show when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the UEFA final and I doubt he would have made much of a difference had he stayed on. Something tells me he didnt
want to have to live with the memory of having missed a penalty in the world cup finals. My heart goes out to Trezuguet, missing that penalty doesnt diminish your value as a true soccer superstar. We still love you. That having been said,
everybody knows Italians excel at producing champions albeit crooked ones in somecases. Starting with their scandal tarnished PM Berlusconi and his allegedly ill gotten wealth to their scandal tainted Juventus , in which I am sure
their PM has a sizeable stake.
The team that features the best goalie in the tournament, G. Buffon, who has admitted to gambling on games(has probably thrown a few games himself). It’s only fitting that Italy won the worldcup because it is a fair reflection of what most people think of FIFA today and this world cup in general. All the inconsistencies with refs and enforcement of rules and all the sham and druggedry that is associated with soccer’s top body. It is so fitting that this year’s world cup champions
are a bunch of actors and clowns and who’s victory will always be associated with the theatrics of one of their own, courtesy of what looked like a headbutt.What a perfect story book ending!

BOB KELLY DO ME A FAVOR TAKE YOUR OPINION AND STICK IT ALL THE AWAY IN YOUR ASS
THANK YOU

Well, since nobody’s mentioned it, The Times used a lip reader to try to determine what Materazzi said:

“son of a terrorist whore”, and then he tops it off with “so just f*** off”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28783-2263995,00.html

Yeah, I guess Materazzi’s right in denying calling Zizou a terrorist. Maybe he actually called his mother a terrorist and a whore to boot.

This is still speculative, of course, but I’d prefer to give Zizou the benefit of the doubt over a punk like Materazzi.

yeah yeah yeah zidane is the man do your part against racism go out and headbutt an italian today fight the jesus killing facists yeah

Zidane is the best player in the world and he got the golden ball he deserved that ball the italians knew if Zidane staid in the game they coulden’t win the cupe there was no way and they did like that they made him ungrey so they can try to win french without Zidane but if Zidane staid on the game French would win the cup i think and now they won it they didn’t lost it italy is suckkkkkkkksssssss

Roger,

the decision was announced well after the end of the game.

The jury had plenty of time to reconsider its decision, if it thought it wise or necessary…

go zidane!

VIVE LA FRANCE

ZIDANE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR LIFE BUT NOT MATERAZZI AS HE WILL BE CONDEMNED FOR HIS DIRTY RACIST REMARKS.

ZIDANE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR LIFE FOR HIS IMPACT ON THE FOOTBALL WORLD BUT NOT MATERAZZI. who cares about him anyway ?

ZIDANE WE LOVE YOU FOR EVER

Frantz,

You say “The jury had plenty of time to reconsider its decision, if it thought it wise or necessary”. There is no jury, Frantz. The Golden Ball award is presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup™ finals, with a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and the winner voted for by representatives of the media. The player having the highest votes is automatically the winner. So it is decided before the final and the votes cannot be changed.

ROGER
ARE YOU HANGRY YOU WANT SOME MEATBALLS BY THE WAY HOW IS CROCODILE HUNTER DID YOU EVER HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE HIM

Guys the article Jodido posted from the Times is really interesting to read

Here is the link again http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28783-2263995,00.html

Here are the best parts with my comments:
1) “It is absolutely not true,” Materazzi said. “I did not call him a terrorist. I’m ignorant. I don’t even know what the word means” —Materazzi: We know that you are ignorant, but you can’t be that dumb not to know such a word
2) “If it were true, it would be a reprehensible act, which would not reflect the fair play that Italy and Materazzi himself showed during the tournament,” Riccardo Villari, a centre-left MP – well how about that for fair play Mr. Villari? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHCbIBEhc0&search=%22de%20rossi%22
3) Materazzi Sr said. “He just told me he had been provoked, the way he often has in recent years. It’s as if they have it in for him. In the last two seasons, Marco has always been on the receiving end, as you can see from his injuries.” —– Yes Mr. Materazzi Sr, your son is an absolute angel, please refer to the following videos to see how innocent your son is
a. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1I8Yc72r4c&search=%22materazzi%22
b. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gyu8W1g2co&search=%22materazzi%22%20%22sorin%22
c. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq6HosVlskQ&search=%22materazzi%22%20%22crazy%22

Italian football is shameful

He deserved it

zidane is a terrorist. and His sister a little whore

I am on ZZ’s side. Who knows what Matrazzi said to him to tick him off. What a way to win a world cup. Shut up and play soccer. I know it gets rough but shut your filthy mouth, Matrazzi!

CORLEON YOU FATHERS KILLED JESUS

Materazzi did insult Zidane, difficult to say at what level. Anyway Zidane’s reaction could be understood but never shared and admitted. If not a dangerous precedent would be generated that a phisical reaction on the field could be justified and that it cannot be part of the rules.

Anyone who played footbal knows how many times insults fly on the field and how many tricks behind the referee shoulder are going on.
Are we sure to have recently listen to one and only trainer -supposed to be an adult and an example- that admitted where these football players learn to behave and play with t-shirts and slapping and any other kind of tricks one against the other ?
I would say to look at reality. No one it is really without a stain and wearing an immaculate white shirt.
I would wait till the moment some trainer will release an interview talking about teaching a 100% honest behavior and teaching players to avoid the use of diving, slapping and holding shirt etc.
The cure are not more referees on the field the cure should be teach honest behaviors.

In my opinion Materazzi deserve to be out for some of the next international match to think about how to better behave.
But nobody can excuse a phisical reaction by Zidane. Even if from the best player of the last 10 years. Sorry M Zidane.

Are we sure that it is only Italy to blame or maybe it is the way football has been stressed to produce bad example of behavior and reactions ? look what it is going on between the audience of football matches!

There is a lot to do everywhere instead of accusing. Teach good and behave good ! Be fair to other teams. Respect is what we need.

ZIDANE IS THE MAN BITCHES

ITALIANS KILLED JESUS

CORLEONE SPAGHETTI WITH MY BALLS YOU WANT SOME FOR YOU MAMA THE FAT BITCH

HEY ITALIANS ZIDANE DOESN’T EVEN
LOOK LIKE JESUS GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE AND LET HIM RUN FOR HIS LIFE BUT YOU KNOW YOUR COUSIN BOUFON YOU CAN NAIL HIM TO THE CROSS HE LOOKS JUST LIKE JESUS

Zizou has already done it all, World Cup for a nation that had never won it, Euro 2000, Champions Trophies, World Player of the Years.

And now, he has cemented his standing by taking a rag tag bunch to the final and winning the Golden Ball. What Matterazzi said, if true, is inexcusable. I can’t imagine how Michael Jordan would have responded if someone called him a nigger or if Larry Bird’s bother was dying and someone wished she were dead. There are lines. Athletes are humans first. Zizou, nothing has been lost due to your actions. For those of you saying, “he shouldn’t have lost his cool,” you are mistaken. Football is just a game. Insults are real. Zizou had nothing to lose and he has gained respect in many people’s eyes. Materazzi may consider himself something but he has to play football out there and I am sure he will run into Muslim, black and other minorities. Have fun defending your actions then.

Well said, Ray … If you do a search on Zidane’s and Materazzi’s exploits, I’m afraid you should conclude he doesn’t only have a problem understanding the word ‘terrorist’ as he claims (even if he didn’t pronounce it). My bet is, he doesn’t understand the word “sport” either …

You guys are making a heap of baseless speculations.

Wait for the facts and then talk. How would you feel if someone judged you before knowing the facts?

No speculations, just opinions, Gian … try the difference ….

An asshole is not asshole by mathematical conclusion … someone just thinks someones is an asshole … (thats opinion, not speculation)

This is not the whole facts, but it tells some:

http://www.espnstar.com/fworldcup/fworldcup_newsdetail_1740097.html

FABIO CANNAVARO…THERE IS YOUR MVP OF THE TOURNAMENT…HE DID IT WITHOUT THE HEAD-BUTTING…

I agree, soccer fan. Cannavaro has been consistently a great player, relaxed, charismatic. He is a true example to follow.

All I’m saying is I don’t like what I see when I browse the internet for this Materazzi. That’s opinion, not speculation. I’m not a fan of Zidane, I wasn’t before the tournament. All I knew was he was and is a good player. What I hear/see/read from this Materazzi is not the same : it is an ugly story at first glance. I’m not pretending to have made the biography of them … just opinion …

This is very silly:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm

BBC Radio Five Live hired a lip reader, who said the insult was “you’re the son of a terrorist whore”.

BBC’s Ten O’Clock News hired a lip reader, who said the insult was “an ugly death to you and your family”.

Since those two sound nothing alike, even in Italian, it’s obvious that these people are pulling this out of their asses.

And for all the people talking about “racial slurs”, the worst claim that anyone has stated is that Materazzi used the word “terrorist.” Is this really so much worse than the German various German newspapers saying all Italians were “greasy pizza eaters” who cheated and never washed?

Zizou has been sent off 14 times in his career and this is not the first time he has used his head to inflict injury.

Call it frustration, call it provocation, call it what you want, nothing justifies his actions. I think Zidane lost it big time and got what he deserved.

Anyone familiar with what goes on in a game knows that a player will hear all kinds of comments from players and fans to try and provoke him. Does it mean it’s ok to do that… absolutely not. But players are trained to ignore these comments.

Nasty comments happen even MORE often in youth games, but even my young players know enough to ignore them and stay focused on the job at hand. Perhaps Zizou should go back to that level until he learns how to control his outbursts!

John F. I second that. If the kids I coach get into it, I yank them from the field.

Cannavaro should have received the award. It is clearly political that Zidane got it. Zidane is a disgrace to the Game,France,team,children,fans,and himself. Redemption is not in the CARDS for Zidane. I am glad France lost. It is called Justice. La Perla Negra-the Black Pearl-El ReyKIng Pele was and is the best example of all.

the truth is finally out…

Zidane is just a man, not a god!

After all these years of watching his magic, we’ve got to admit it: he’s just a freakin’ genius. damn it!

zidane is a over rated loser and his sister is on her knees alot all you french peckers bring out these type of comments in people

the materrazi videos were through how many years in his career and zidane had far worse incidents in his career, but knowbody seems to want to focus on that and him being a butcher
death to zidane

Zidane is a REAL man and the Italian soccer players are real women.

Zidane Wins 2006 World Cup Golden Ball? Ha Ha Ha!! Why not Mike Tyson?? We are the champions.Forza Azzurri and shut up france losers!

I couldn’t agree more Ray, Zidane is an outstanding player of his generation that many could only dream of,that will stay whatever happened in the finals. it’s easy for some to critise that physical action and forget that words of racial slur {esp to his family or religion] are also more hurtfull to bear. Zizou will remain an icon for many people, for sure in Africa, as he and his team-mates stood more than just footballers but aspiration. It is with sadness that he’s retired from world of football, he will be missed enormously. ‘ZIZOU, YOU WERE A TRULY GENIOUS, A BIG THANK U FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

Italy the world champions without the world going “wow, wow” What a laughing stock these italians actually think people admired them. LOL

Perhaps, John … You are right, you know. Headbutting is inexcusable. Controlling your emotions is surely one of the aspects that make a good player. Having a good score on all aspects must not be easy, as you surely experience with your players, John.
But I still don’t like this Materazzi. Chances are (I don’t know for sure) he could follow some selfcontrol lessons also.
The principle of “swear and insult all you like, just don’t get physical” doesn’t inspire me much, unlike some happy fans in here ;)

Zizou, will be remembered as a HERO!!!! You were awesome we love you.

BOO to all the italians fans, after watching the match i was utterly disgusted by the way materazzi injuring zidane, sexually harassing him and spitting foul remarks. Yucks

After watching zidane headbutt, i thought he was wrong, in fact he was. But the one who started it should be punished harshly as well by fifa. Thanks to fifa for investigating into it.

hey guys here is a thought did zidane start the whole thing, and materrazi responded to zidane with his own remark. before anybody convicts materrazi
you find out what the terrorist of head butting and stomping said to provoke what materrazi said

http://zidaneterrorist.ytmnd.com/

That tells it all…

well lq (nice name, by the way. sounds like you invented it yourself), if Mazeratti’s defense is “well he was superarrogant after me pulling his t-shirt” and doesnt go further than that, then to be honest I am already convinced, you know. Lets wait to what Zidane has to say ..

Marco Materazzi that wasn’t a funny webpage whatsoever. Get real.

i take after you JLR inm not the only one that invented his name i love yours so go have a belgium waffle on the italians

when will belgium ever be in a tuornament again

I am so happy That FiFA is ivestigating the incedent between Zidane and the “monster” also called Marco Materazzi. If there’s indication that he called his a terrorist he should be banned from playing soccer. Soccer unites people and this kind of insult is unacceptable.

What is most bothering the reaction of Italian fans. All I got from this chapmionship and the whole thing, is that Italians (most of them) are really not worth dealing with. This nation has some serious problems, way too serious…

Zidane’s headbutt to the chest was lame, but so was the provocation and reaction of that Italian prick.
There was no reason for him to go down, how much damage can a headbutt to the chest do ?

Exactly, none at all….

Zidane deserved Red , though, it’s a pity ….

RACISM has no place , not even in Sport. Soccer is not an excuse to be racist. And Zidane was right in standing up for himself like a man , and doing what is supposed to be done.
Zidane´s moment of lunatism came at the right moment. At a moment where soccer in Europe is suffering from worrying Racism. Swastikas appearing in the stadiums, pro-white fans. PLayers with coloured skin are being insulted, even attacked(in Germany).Fans emulate monkeys and throw bananas everytime a non-white player touches the ball (Spain and Italy).. This has gone too far. In soccer like in every aspect of life in europe, Racism is on the rise in an alarming fashion and nobody is taking it seriously.. It was time that somebody stands up for himself and says enough is enough. And if its true that Materazzi made such racist comments(we will know in a couple of day when Zidane speaks out) then I respect zidane for standing out for himself because FIFA will not. Enough is enough.
I am even more proud of zidane because he didnt forget his honour and pride, didnt sell his soul to the masses for entertainment purposes. And once again Sport or not , there is no excuse whatsoever for racism..
Zidane is and will ever be the best player for the last 20 years. We love you zizou !
Roland Germany.

A Racist Slur at the World Cup?

By Dave Zirin*

Behind the stunning ejection of France’s star player during overtime in the World Cup finals are allegations of racism on the part of an Italian player.

Imagine Michael Jordan in his last game, with the score tied in overtime, knocking out his defender with a punch to the throat. Imagine Derek Jeter in game seven of the World Series, at bat with the bases loaded, thrashing the opposing team’s catcher over the head with his bat. Our collective shock would only be exceeded by disappointment. No one, fan or foe, would want to a see a great player end their career in an act that speaks to the worst impulses of sports: when hard competition spills over into violence.

Now imagine if Jordan and Jeter claimed they were provoked with a racial slur. Does their violence become understandable? Even excusable? Herein lies the case of French National team captain, the great Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, competing in his last professional match, was kicked out of the World Cup final in overtime for flattening Italian player Marco Materazzi with the head-butt heard around the world. Zidane, or Zissou as he is known, became the first captain ever ejected from a World Cup championship match.

The announcers denounced Zissou for committing a “classless act and the French team withered, eventually losing to a demonstrably inferior Italian squad in overtime. The following morning the international tabloids with their typical grace, gave Zissou a new nickname: “butt-head.” Less examined was the fact that Zissou was literally carrying a lightly regarded French team to the finals. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had been grabbed, kicked, and fouled all game by the vaunted Italian defense. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had almost left minutes earlier due to injury, his arm wilting off his shoulder like a wet leaf of spinach. This unholy amount of pressure is the primary reason the 34-year-old veteran snapped and planted Materazzi into the pitch.

Now the great mystery is what set Zissou off. What could Materazzi have possibly said to send him over the edge? Answers are beginning to filter out. According to a FIFA employee transcribing what was said during the match, Materazzi’s called Zissou a “big Algerian shit.” A Brazilian television program that claims to have used a lip-reader said Materazzi called Zissou’s sister “a whore.” The highly respected French anti-racist coalition SOS Racisme issued a press release stating, “According to several very well informed sources from the world of football, it would seem [Materazzi] called Zissou a ‘dirty terrorist’.”

Materazzi, in an answer that can only be called Clintonian, said, “It is absolutely not true. I didn’t call him a terrorist.” Of course he didn‚t comment on what he did call him. Zissou himself has only said cryptically that he would reveal what Materazzi said “in the coming days.”

Right now, we do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt what was said but all the circumstantial evidence points at least toward a variant of SOS Racisme’s claim. Zissou is the son of Algerian immigrants who has sparred verbally with Europe’s far-right political machine for more than a decade. He is an outspoken anti-racist on a team that has defined itself by its multiculturalism and stubborn insistence to stand up against bigotry both inside and outside the sport. Materazzi on the other hand, will be playing this year for the Italian team Lazio, where his father was the former coach. Lazio’s fan club, The Ultras, are notorious for their Fascist-friendly politics. Lazio’s hardcore Ultras, known as the “Irriducibili,” have members in Italy’s extra-parliamentary far right and try to use the club to recruit. The group has frequently uses racist and anti-Semitic banners, one time hanging a 50-foot banner that said their opponents were a “team of niggers.”

It‚s wrong to taint Materazzi for the actions of Lazio’s fans, but there is more. Earlier this season in a match that pitted Messina against Inter in Sicily, Messina’s star African player Marc Zoro famously picked up the ball and walked off the pitch in protest of the monkey chants rained upon him by Inter supporters. In a stirring act of solidarity, many of the Inter players immediately showed support for Zoro’s actions. But one opponent yelled, “Stop that, Zoro, you’re just trying to make a name for yourself.” That opponent’s name was Marco Materazzi.

At the start of this tournament I wrote a soccer column with my colleague John Cox, called “Racism Stalks the Cup.” We expressed our concern that the monkey chants, banana peels, and peanuts raining down on African players this year would continue on the sport’s grandest stage. This largely did not occur. But then in the final act, at the moment of most exquisite tension, it seems racism may have actually emerged from the shadows. I, for one, am damn glad that when it did, it ran smack into Zissou’s beautiful head.

We don‚t know with iron certainty what Materazzi said, but if it turns out to be more of the anti-Black, anti-Muslim, garbage that has infected soccer like a virus, the Italian team should forfeit the cup. They should voluntarily give the greatest trophy of them all back to FIFA as a statement that some things in this world are more important than sports. Racism will be the death of soccer if things don’t change. Italy can set the sport back on course, with one simple, stunning gesture. Give the damn thing back.

I cant believe someone would actually take the time to go on to some computer program and make that totally racsist video of the head butt incedent. i’ve never seen anything so ignorant. According to your logic rooney and figo and de rossi are also terrorists but i guess since they’re not from a north african country they’re not terrorists.

Yes, Zidane is one of the greatest players of all time and a red card won’t erase the great moments of his career from anyone’s minds. And I can understand why you’d want to take matters into your own hands. However, this was a stupid mistake and no matter how justified it may seem in your mind it still needs to be penalised.

Zidane plays in the Italian league, is a hero there, speaks a little of the language and knows who Marco Materazzi is. Is Materazzi a dirty player? Sure. There’s no real surprise there. But, those types of insults happen all the time and he should have dealt with it. France has a team that is 75% black and I’m sure they’ve dealt with a lot worse things said about them by other players and fans each and every game. And this the World CUp final!

Zidane should not have been given the Golden Ball because it sends the wrong message. Players are supposed to handle those situations with discipline and self control. You don’t tell your 10 year old to ‘punch the other guy in the face when he calls you sissy pants’.

Look back to Euro 2004 and how Totti was vilified in the media around the world, including home in Italy. He was being taunted by Poulsen (another dirty player) just like Zidane was by Materazzi. And he was punished for spitting not an actual physical attack. Three games for gross unsporting misconduct. Yet Zidane gets an award and a heroes welcome in France???

So why make excuses for Zidane now?

On a lighter note…

The BBC has just released the verbal exchange between Materazzi and Zidane prior to the head-butt. The dialogue has reportedly been confirmed by no less than 3 independent lip readers, one of whom works for the British secret service.

Materazzi: Funny. You’re really funny.
Zidane: What do you mean?
Materazzi: It’s funny, you know. It’s a good story. You’re a funny guy.
Zidane: You mean the way I talk?
Materazzi: What? It’s just, you know. You’re just funny. You know, the way you tell the story.
Zidane: Funny how? What’s funny about it?
Materazzi: You got it all wrong. Just, you know. You’re funny.
Zidane: Let me understand this. Maybe I’m a little fucked up. But I’m funny how? Funny like a clown? I amuse you? I’m here to fucking amuse you? What do you mean, funny? How am I funny?
Materazzi: You know, how you tell a story. I don’t know.
Zidane: You said it. You said I’m funny. How am I funny? What the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me what’s funny.
Materazzi: Get the fuck out of here, Zinadine!

The World Cup is about unity and against racism. Are you saying it was okay for Materazzi to insult Zidane, especially his relious beliefs? He doesnt know about Islam, but I don’t think he is dumb enough not to know what a terrorist is. Just a lame excuse. I’m not praising Zidane’s actions, but Materazzi is one hell of an actor. I’ve never seen someone hit the ground in agony an get up once he saw the red card. BS.

Materazzi is Gentile of 2006. I am not sure how many of you remember Gentile from 1982. It seems like every time Italians win WC, they have at least one disgusting character on their team. It is like mafia, to scare the opponents.

After all the nonesense (negative) comments about Zidane, He got what he deserve!!! Two thumbs up!!!!All my respect to a hero

I have been reading these posts and must say that Ray said it all. To those who coach this game to juniors and teach them to stay focused on the game you may want to use the incident on Sunday positively as to let our young players around the world know that it is an international game, and racist comments are just not part of the game….but to say that Zizou may need to go back to basics like “John. F” suggested in his blog…I would really love to see your reaction after an intense month of playing and insulting you and your heritage! Lets get one thing straight what Zizou did wast certainly not professional but he is human, as far as Materazzi…no comment on that loser. One more thing “lg” from CANADA”, why don’t you learn how to spell first and then take a course on what “soccer” is all about, deal with your issues at home that you seem to reflect on here and associate them with Zidane. Until then please SHUT UP!

im not in any way saying that its an italian thing but materazzi is like a typical goon from a hockey team. has anybody seen when he kicked shevchenko square in the nuts with a deliberate kick. or when he stomps on the guys head, he should have been prevented from playing in world cup to begin with. zidane got revenge for about 200 different players who have ever played against materazzi.

Its unfortunate. The people will ceratinly remember his a s hero, but the media will mask all his accomplishments with this incident. Materazzi embellished. He deserves an Oscar.

I completely agree with skillz, just because a North African heritage that Zidane comes from makes him a terrorist, the sad thing is that i bet the person that made that computer generated program is probably a fat old man that has nothing special in his life that his computer is his life. Also why not consider all of the people who managed to get a red card during the tournament? Especially De Rossi, this guy made an American player bleed, unlike Zidane who did not make Materazzi bleed. This video is another sign of ignorant mo fo’s who just spread hate. F-u man. Zidane is one of the best players, but I’m still an Italian supporter, not racist supporter!!

A Racist Slur at the World Cup?

By Dave Zirin*

Behind the stunning ejection of France’s star player during overtime in the World Cup finals are allegations of racism on the part of an Italian player.

Imagine Michael Jordan in his last game, with the score tied in overtime, knocking out his defender with a punch to the throat. Imagine Derek Jeter in game seven of the World Series, at bat with the bases loaded, thrashing the opposing team’s catcher over the head with his bat. Our collective shock would only be exceeded by disappointment. No one, fan or foe, would want to a see a great player end their career in an act that speaks to the worst impulses of sports: when hard competition spills over into violence.

Now imagine if Jordan and Jeter claimed they were provoked with a racial slur. Does their violence become understandable? Even excusable? Herein lies the case of French National team captain, the great Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, competing in his last professional match, was kicked out of the World Cup final in overtime for flattening Italian player Marco Materazzi with the head-butt heard around the world. Zidane, or Zissou as he is known, became the first captain ever ejected from a World Cup championship match.

The announcers denounced Zissou for committing a “classless act and the French team withered, eventually losing to a demonstrably inferior Italian squad in overtime. The following morning the international tabloids with their typical grace, gave Zissou a new nickname: “butt-head.” Less examined was the fact that Zissou was literally carrying a lightly regarded French team to the finals. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had been grabbed, kicked, and fouled all game by the vaunted Italian defense. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had almost left minutes earlier due to injury, his arm wilting off his shoulder like a wet leaf of spinach. This unholy amount of pressure is the primary reason the 34-year-old veteran snapped and planted Materazzi into the pitch.

Now the great mystery is what set Zissou off. What could Materazzi have possibly said to send him over the edge? Answers are beginning to filter out. According to a FIFA employee transcribing what was said during the match, Materazzi’s called Zissou a “big Algerian shit.” A Brazilian television program that claims to have used a lip-reader said Materazzi called Zissou’s sister “a whore.” The highly respected French anti-racist coalition SOS Racisme issued a press release stating, “According to several very well informed sources from the world of football, it would seem [Materazzi] called Zissou a ‘dirty terrorist’.”

Materazzi, in an answer that can only be called Clintonian, said, “It is absolutely not true. I didn’t call him a terrorist.” Of course he didn‚t comment on what he did call him. Zissou himself has only said cryptically that he would reveal what Materazzi said “in the coming days.”

Right now, we do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt what was said but all the circumstantial evidence points at least toward a variant of SOS Racisme’s claim. Zissou is the son of Algerian immigrants who has sparred verbally with Europe’s far-right political machine for more than a decade. He is an outspoken anti-racist on a team that has defined itself by its multiculturalism and stubborn insistence to stand up against bigotry both inside and outside the sport. Materazzi on the other hand, will be playing this year for the Italian team Lazio, where his father was the former coach. Lazio’s fan club, The Ultras, are notorious for their Fascist-friendly politics. Lazio’s hardcore Ultras, known as the “Irriducibili,” have members in Italy’s extra-parliamentary far right and try to use the club to recruit. The group has frequently uses racist and anti-Semitic banners, one time hanging a 50-foot banner that said their opponents were a “team of niggers.”

It‚s wrong to taint Materazzi for the actions of Lazio’s fans, but there is more. Earlier this season in a match that pitted Messina against Inter in Sicily, Messina’s star African player Marc Zoro famously picked up the ball and walked off the pitch in protest of the monkey chants rained upon him by Inter supporters. In a stirring act of solidarity, many of the Inter players immediately showed support for Zoro’s actions. But one opponent yelled, “Stop that, Zoro, you’re just trying to make a name for yourself.” That opponent’s name was Marco Materazzi.

At the start of this tournament I wrote a soccer column with my colleague John Cox, called “Racism Stalks the Cup.” We expressed our concern that the monkey chants, banana peels, and peanuts raining down on African players this year would continue on the sport’s grandest stage. This largely did not occur. But then in the final act, at the moment of most exquisite tension, it seems racism may have actually emerged from the shadows. I, for one, am glad that when it did, it ran smack into Zissou’s beautiful head.

We don‚t know with iron certainty what Materazzi said, but if it turns out to be more of the anti-Black, anti-Muslim, garbage that has infected soccer like a virus, the Italian team should forfeit the cup. They should voluntarily give the greatest trophy of them all back to FIFA as a statement that some things in this world are more important than sports. Racism will be the death of soccer if things don’t change. Italy can set the sport back on course, with one simple, stunning gesture. Give the world cup thing back.

The award to ZZ is a fine example of what Europeans stand for, losing….losers being rewarded by some sort of award voted on by a consensus of other losers (realize that there will always be far more losers than winners.) Give me an example of a championship game or tournament MVP award goin to a loser in any American event(hockey doesnt’t count, sorry) Answer: it doensn’t happen, because in the US we hate losers…

Roger,

You say the vote cannot be changed…

Read me again: untill the vote is announced, there is no obligation to release it. The head butt was given well before the end of the game. There was absolutely no obligation for the FIFA to valid this decision, if they thought it was undeserved.

As a final word, I’d like to had these few comments

*ZZ said he was quitting because “it was not so much fun any more”: I think I understand better what he meant when reading some of the comments here

*I stopped going to football games because i could not understand all the hatred, racism and violence which now seems to be a permanent ingredient of football. Looks like web blogs are going the same way

*true football lovers are capable of seeing talent where it is, and are not blinded by their flag or their own prefferred team or player. There are / were some great Italian talents in football. Why should I argue to the contrary, just because my team lost? If you can’t bear to lose, better not to play at all. Why should I put hatred and low feeling towards anything / anybody who is not part of my country or my team?
What is the beauty of winning if all that is expressed are feelings of anger, racism, or pure hatred?

*people who don’t know anything about football should not post in football blogs. Some of the comments on ZZ just show that some people should better keep talking about what they know best, which apparently has nothing to do with football.
You are of course entitled to prefer any other player, but some bloggers’ credibility appear very low when we read what they have to say about ZZ. It is sad to see that, for some, talent and class are measured by the flag you wear on your jersey

*there is a biblical saying “don’t cast the first stone”.;There are a lots of things that we know we should not do, like being envioous, wanting somebody else wife, cheat, steal, lie, drive under the influence of alcohol, not voting, etc… Those who take so high a moral stand on ZZ last gesture (which, I repeat, was wrong, and rightly sanctionned) should look in a mirror before looking for stones to throw

*some comments show that most people here apparently don’t know much about street brawl. If you really want to hurt somebody, you surely do not head butt him in the chest: you go for the face, breaking teeth and nose, and smashing lips.

So ZZ gesture was all wrong, and he got booked for it, but please don’t try to paint him as an assassin

*as I stated on other blogs, ZZ has a dark side to him, like all genius and heroes. This will make him retaliate when he believes he has been abused enough. All his acts of violence have been in that context. He has never initiated an agression on any player whithout being provoked, and this is not an excuse but an explanation.

As for the yellow cards he got in this tournament, remember one of them was for shooting a free kick too quickly, something several players did in that tournament. He was the only one to get a card for that

* I am confient that, when all the emotions have cooled a bit, there will be a reassessment of that final game and events.
if you look into the Spanish Press of today (remember how ZZ crucified them on the pitch)you can see that the tide is already beginning to turn in ZZ’s favour.

Wondering why they are supporting the guy who crushed their World Cup hopes, instead of rallying the lynch mob and have an easy field day?

Me too, and I think I got a clue……

So, so long Mister ZZ and thanks for everything.

Every true football lover around the world know where u stand

Hmm, I just learned that, technically, Italy might loose the title if Materazzi has made a racist remark to Zidane….

Just from reading these blogs and the one sided rubbish we read in the papers, it’s obvious that racism will always be in football and fans. Zidane will, regardless of what people say, be regarded as one of the best players in the world because it’s how he played NOT where he came from or WHO he played for. And just because he stood up for what he believes just means he has principles too. Unlike all the racists out there.

After reading the comments on this blog I am truly disappointed at the number of ignorant stereotypes written here. Just because an Italian player has exhibited hostility does not make him a “goon” or part of the “mafia” mentality. And if Zidane decided to stop playing as a reaction to how hateful he believed the game had become, then he really stood up for his convictions by maliciously attacking another player. But the fact is, no one knows what happened on that feild, and Zidane is just a man, capable of getting angry and making a mistake. It shouldn’t define his career, who he is, or the world cup final. In the end Italy won, and they deserved it.

skillz:

“make that totally racsist video of the head butt incedent.”

Ummm… do you know what racist (note the spelling) means? How exactly was the fake computer game racist? It just showed Zidane headbutting Materazzi.

“materazzi is like a typical goon from a hockey team. has anybody seen when he kicked shevchenko square in the nuts with a deliberate kick.”

And Zidane is also a typical goon, who has broken people’s cheakbones from his headbuts, trampled on people squarely with his cleats, punched people during games, and has a career record of 14 red cards and expulsions, which is rather higher than Materazzi’s.

Which one is the bigger goon?

Your zidane defence is incredibile! If all the football players reacted that way to verbal provocations, every match would finish in a riot. C’mon be honest and bow to the 4th champions of the world. Shut up french losers!!!!!Forza Azzurri!!!

God is Great.
France lost the match due to zidane’s ugly behaviour.

Thank God.

Even God is not perfect. Why should the world try the patience of Zidane ?

frantz,

Very nice posting!

A WELL N TRULY DESERVED GOLDEN BALL AWARD!!ZIZOU U SIMPLY R THE BEST..NO SECOND THOT OR OPINION ABT IT!!N MUSS SAY…UR FINAL HEADER WAZ THE BEST EVER IN UR CAREER!!COOL!!…MORE SERIOUSLY….ZIZOU WILL ALWAYZ REMAIN AS THE UNDISPUTED FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIMES…NO MATTER WUT!!

I have not read any postings from any individuals who indicated that they Played and Coached and Officiated. I did/do. So do my three sons. USSF, High School, College. I find that his actions were completely unexcusable. This is a game (of simulated War) that was inteded to be played by the rules of Honour as did so many in the 1860’s.

In short, the officiating was sub par. Too much is allowed in the name of giving the spectators what they want and the almighty $$$$. Clean up the game, play it like it was intended, and the skills will really come out.

PS, this pansy way of determining a victor…let them play till they drop. 2-45’s, 2-15’s (and allow one sub each team) then continue with 2-15’s and one added sub until they fall below the legal 7 players on the field and are disqualified–LOSE, or one team gains a 1 goal advantage.

Zizou’s behavior did deserve the red card, no dispute about that. I seriously doubt France’s ability to win even if he stayed. They would’ve sent that guy who missed to penality kicks anyway since he’s a good one.

However, I think FIFA should expell Materazzi from the world of soccer permanently. What he did is…beyond low-class. He’s got no sport spirit. I really think the Italians should all shout at him for tarnishing their World cup. It’s like as if he was afraid they’ll lose the game if Zidane keep on playing.

As far as thinking lowly abt the Italian and their fans. I think it not just judging them all by Materazzi’s standards. I do visit a couple of forums regularly and surprisingly, or not, lots of Italian fans are cursing at people and calling them French fans if they don’t praise the Italian team. I guess people really do tend to like people in their own class afterall.

Bill, do you coach your players and officiate games with a “play till they drop” mentality?

After just 110 minutes on the field both teams were exhausted, the play was sloppy, and no one was going to concede a goal, and the keepers and defence were much better rested than the offence and midfield.

When players are playing till they drop, their emotions and exhaustion cloud their judgement, and we get people snapping like Zidane.

Even the best players can’t run for two hours straight. With your system of subs, you still have to wait 5 and a half hours to get your last player substituted off the field

It doesn’t make for pretty football.

Penalties are part of the game, and are still a show of skill. The best teams are those like Italy, France and Brazil, which can make four or five perfect penalties in a row. The worst are teams like Switzerland, who kicked three of their four penalties into the keepers arms.

Deciding the game on skill is far better than deciding the game on ugly, exhausted football.

I don’t know what the Italian’s are thinking. So you won the World Cup, good for you. The Italian’s were scared because they saw that the French team was stronger and decided to play dirty once again. I’m glad he got a head butt, and agree that he should of done more. So to all the Italian’s enjoy your win but remember that the rest of the world think your a joke.

This is a game .. Not like the terosist .. or war we are fighting inthe real world.. come on people focus on the real world.. france and Italy are all made of people who deserve the same patience and respect we would want if we lost our heads if we got angry.. there are more important things at hand to worry about right now. Congrat to Italy

ITALIAN’S SUCKS! YOUR ALL PIGS!

Lisa:

Actually, the rest of the world doesn’t think Italy is a joke.

Italians made up 7 of the 23 places on the all-star, most valuable player rooster.
(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/07/bc.eu.spt.soc.wcup.all.stars.ap/)

Italians have been written about in articles such as this
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/11/sorry.italy/index.html
written by a once Italy-hating sportswriter, saying they were “the quintessential team, a highly tuned machine, a Ferrari, whose parts fit together perfectly.”

I can pull similar quotes from the sports pages of the NY Times, Washington Post and Boston Globe.

They haven’t lost in nearly two years, they never let in a single goal from another team during play during the world cup, and, of course, they became the world champions for the fourth time.

No, I don’t think the rest of the world thinks that they’re a joke. Only some poor, upset people with wounded pride.

Lisa:

Actually, the rest of the world doesn’t think Italy is a joke.

Italians made up 7 of the 23 places on the all-star, most valuable player rooster, far more than any other country.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/07/bc.eu.spt.soc.wcup.all.stars.ap/

Italians have been written about in articles such as this
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/11/sorry.italy/index.html
written by a once Italy-hating sportswriter, saying they were “the quintessential team, a highly tuned machine, a Ferrari, whose parts fit together perfectly.”

I can pull similar quotes from the sports pages of the NY Times, Washington Post and Boston Globe.

They haven’t lost in nearly two years, they never let in a single goal from another team during play during the world cup, had one of the highest scoring percentages per game, and, of course, they became the world champions for the fourth time.

No, I don’t think the rest of the world thinks that they’re a joke. Only some poor, upset people with wounded pride.

Lisa:

Actually, the rest of the world doesn’t think Italy is a joke.

Italians made up 7 of the 23 places on the all-star, most valuable player rooster, far more than any other country.

Italians have been written about in articles such as this
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/11/sorry.italy/index.html
written by a once Italy-hating sportswriter, saying they were “the quintessential team, a highly tuned machine, a Ferrari, whose parts fit together perfectly.”

I can pull similar quotes from the sports pages of the NY Times, Washington Post and Boston Globe.

They haven’t lost in nearly two years, they never let in a single goal from another team during play during the world cup, had one of the highest scoring percentages per game, and, of course, they became the world champions for the fourth time.

No, I don’t think the rest of the world thinks that they’re a joke. Only some poor, upset people with wounded pride.

James: I’m speaking from what I hear in Canada. I come from a family were my dad played for a national team for many years, so I’m not stupid when it comes to soccer. But how fast people forget what’s going on back in Italy with the players. Don’t act like that team is made of honest people, they played dirty and your coming from the States I guess forgot what happened when Italy played you.

Ashley:

I didn’t call anyone stupid. I just said that most of the world doesn’t think the Italians are jokes. Sports commentators, sports sections, etc. have been praising them very loudly.

Why should the scandal influence whether or not the Italians are currently one of the worlds great teams? Only a couple players have even been implicated, and they don’t play on the national team.
‘
The Italians have played amazingly, and all the statistics confirm it. One player disgustingly put his elbow in the face of one of our players during the match, as you remember, and he was rightly suspended.

Why aren’t you remembering how dirty the French have played, how many dives they’ve been called for, and how one of their players bruttaly headbutted an Italian when the ref wasn’t looking? Why do you only accuse the Italians.

Speaking of jokes… I’m sure you’re dad’s a great player, but calling another soccer team a “joke” is a bit rich coming from a Canadian.

No disrespect. I’m sure you play great hockey.

James – it could be a sad revelation for you, but 1) Most of World realy thinks Italian team is a joke in footbal 2) Most of the press writing positive is Italian (or American of Italian descent) 3) Usually press writes positive things about winners anyway, no matter what they do to win it.

The sad for Italy part would (if they care of course) how many supporters and admirers around the World their team gets. And I guess not many. Are you surprised that teams like France, Brasil and even England gets so many fans and admirers around the World who are not French, Brasilians or British, but rather enjoy fair and bueatiful footbal.

Playing the way like Italians do you will have only Italians supporting your team. And we all know the reasons for such support.

James – BTW, what Zidane did with Materazzi — I am sure at least 200 players worldwide (including Italian players) would want to thank him. Materazzi is the most dirty plaeyrs I known, might even be worse than Gentile from Italy 1982. The sad part is that usually Italy has players like this on a team. Of course I am far from saying that the whole ITalian team is like this, but anyone who knows something about footbal knows that something is going on in Italy culturally that gets players like this.

I think the country that is known for diving is Italy. But anyway you continue praising the Italian’s and know that even though I’m a proud Canadian, I wasn’t born here.

“footbal-fan” Do you have some kind of statistic to back up “Most of World realy thinks Italian team is a joke in footbal”? Do you have numbers? Reports?

No, of course you don’t. Yoiu have your family, maybe your friends, and a bunch of whiny posts on this blog.

My guess is you haven’t been reading the American or Bristish papers. I have. They are almost uniformly positive about Italy, saying the played “more like a team than any other country”. I guess if you don’t think the English-speaking press hasn’t been positive towards Italy you don’t read the papers much.

And as for football fans. I live in Boston. On Sunday there was the largest outpouring of happiness from it’s citizens the city has ever seen barring Red Sox victories. The newspapers were full of quotes from Americans saying how much they loved the Italians, the streets were blocked with thousands of people in Italian sweaters.

I’m sorry you don’t come from a place without any Italy supporters, but that’s your problem, not mine.

I really luv Zidane but what he did was unprofessional. It must have been a racist word Materazzi used but in the end, I’m happy for Zidane & fnning the golden

Some comments from someone who’s just started following soccer:

1.From watching France-Brazil, Zidane is incredibly skilled and effective.

2.Head-butt was very dumb and deserved red card. Whether it should disqualify him from the voting is another question entirely.

3.Cannavaro’s problem in the voting may be that he plays a position where you don’t get noticed unless you do something wrong — like an offensive lineman in American football.

4.One reason I like soccer is that overall it does seem to have a positive, unifying feel to it. But from reading the blog, it unfortunately isn’t immune from bigots of all colors. “Greaseballs”? “Typical American Bully mentality”? “Algerian p.o.s”?

Football fan, frankly you are talking out of your as$. Have you read the papers?

I’m not the biggest Italy fan, but the sports pages on all the papers I’ve read have shown huge amount of love for the Italians.

And as for fans, I know that at least half of Chicago was behind the Italians all the way.

Regardless of what anyones says Zidane was the best player point blank. No other player this tournament stepped up ot the plate like he did. What the hell happened to Ronaldinho, Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Riquelme? etc. etc. None of the other stars met the expectations we had for them. Zidane proved that he can still play and he outclassed opponents…

Really, I don’t understand why FIFA give Zinade Zidane the Golden Ball, to me is something unbelivable, they sponsored the fair play or not?.
To me he don’t deserve that award,looks like “favoritismo” still going on.
thanks.
Lupe Brito.
(This actions only hurt our Futbol.)

As far the author of this blog, yes Cannavaro is a great defender but that is all he is. No greatness taken from him but he is no thte type of player to change the course of the game he is backed by other teammates such as Gilardo and Del Piero who can. Italy had the best overall team and they proved it but no one else like Zidane took a flailing team such as France (who barely made it passed to the first round to then lead them ) and almost won the cup.

Fair Play doesn’t determine who the best player is and as far as fair play comes Matezzerazi’s racist comment to Zidane should not be condoned either. That is what we are trying to take away from football it is not like Matezerazzi said, “It’s everyday talk on the field,” racism should not be supported at all.

football fan- thanks for speaking the truth

Lupe:

They started voting for him at half-time, before the incendent. On BBC they said most of the voters would have taken back their votes if they could have.

Caesfine:

You’re claiming to be Bob? Well, never-the-less, Cannavaro is backed up by so many because, as the team capitain, we knows how to marshall an amazing defence. Many journalists said that they had voted for Zidane because it was his last game. Also note that the Italians split the vote: Cannavaro would have had the majority had not so many votes gone to his team mate Pirlo.

Micheal- Are you serious, the papers have to write good things what do you expect

Ashley: No they don’t, and, point-in-fact, they called Zidane’s behaviour “disgusting.”

My point was that you think to yourself “I hate Italians, and so does my father, so I’ll write ‘The whole world thinks Italy is a joke’”.

Well, my reply was to say that thet’s just silly. They don’t think that Italy is a joke. Even if they have to say something nice about the winners, that doesn’t explain the increadable articles that have been written about the Italians in the Sports Illustrated article I pointed you to, in the NY Times sports page and so on.

And as for “the whole world” (which conveniently doen’t include the expert sports commentators in your definition), I saw thousand and thousands of Italian fans here in Chicago on Sunday.

I don’t know where you come from, but making comments like “the whole world thinks Italy is a joke” merely shows ignorance.

Thom:

You’re missing the context. Some Canadians claimed that the only place one could possibly see positive reports of the Italian team was in Italian newspapers. I replied by showing that British and US newspapers also gave extremely positive reports of the Italian team. That’s where the Sports magazine was introduced.

I would have included German newspapers if I could speak German. :)

People, please, get real. There really is no point in mentioning articles in US sports magazines.
Football is something the bigger part of the world is growing up with, the US being one of the exceptions.
Sorry, lads, you are not part of this… ;)

typical italians, play like a bunch of chicks. get tackled they cry, chance for a penalty and they drop like some opera performer. and then the have to make nasty comments about zidanes background and mother . shame on you dirty ass italians, play strong not like girls in the school yard eh!!!! you havent won anything because now everyone has seen the true colours of typical dirty italians. with all the recent problems with cheating in the italian league surely you couldve tried to pick up your act just a little.

“Italy’s performance in the World Cup final was not one befitting champions. They must consider themselves fortunate to have won the trophy because this was a game that the French – and Zinedine Zidane – threw away, rather than a game they won.”
Telegraph.co.uk
Alan Ball

I agree with that. Marco Materazzi know how to play dirty trick. Shame on you.

“Italy’s performance in the World Cup final was not one befitting champions. They must consider themselves fortunate to have won the trophy because this was a game that the French – and Zinedine Zidane – threw away, rather than a game they won.”
Telegraph.co.uk
Alan Ball

I agree with that. Marco Materazzi know how to play dirty trick.

I personally think that holding back someone and then calling them a terrorist is beyond dispicable. Zidane and his team were discriminated!! I truly believe that there were negotiations and schemes behind everything that happened. Zidane is the only person who rightfully deserved the world cup. How many people can control their actions and anger after being held back by the opposing team and called a terrorist?! Even though you may not have physically won the world cup Zidane, You have left your mark and won the world cup in the hearts of every just and open-minded person living on earth.

A statement made by zidane,

There is no place for racism. It is impossible to love this sport, to play it, or to support a team and be racist or xenophobic at the same time. The values conveyed by football are the exact opposite of racism. Because racism promotes exclusion and hate. Football, in contrast, brings people together to share a common pleasure. Every four years we experience a unique time in which people congregate together, take part together and celebrate together. Racists are not invited.”

-Zinedine Zidane

We love you Zidane

to footballfan the divers are not italians the are the rest of the worlds players that go play in the italian league and if everybody thinks italy is a joke tell me why they have the most watched soccer league allongside england, and where is the french league the brazilian,or any other league on tv airing no where because they are o joke like the french team.
AND ANOTHER THING the world loves italy, we are only hated by fans of teams italy beats, so stop all your crying

hey ashley what is your dads name and what national team did he play for?

James – I am sorry you missed my point.

American and British ( I would argue with British) is positive about italian win? Of course American press will be positive, do you know how many Italians live in the US? You live in Boston, right? So you should know that Boston is full of people of Italian descent. Of course they will be happy.
That’s what I said, people will support Italy, because it is Italy, and they have feelings.

But people who really appreciate the beaty of footbal, and understand something in footbal will never like the way Italians play, because it kills the game.

Are you American? Are you italian? My guess is that you are American of Italian descent, as many in Boston. I understand your position, you love the country of your ancestors, but 1) you are biased because of your ancestry 2) you are American, and footbal is something new to you, you have no 30 years of footbal appreciation and follow up, it is hard for you to understand the beaty of the game. I guess for you to win is everything like for many in America, and also dirty play and comments are usuall thing in American sports, am I right?

Of course all these are my guesses since I dont know you, but how on earth you can otherwise think that Italy plays good footbal?

THere are and always were some good footballers in Italy, but never the caliber of Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Platini, Croyef, Beckenbauer…

I think soccer, like any other game, has something connected to luck. We played our games, and a combination of luck and ability led us to the victory! Next time, i’m sure, will be somebody else’s luck, but not this year.
Peace and love for everybody.
P.S: I perfectly agree we don’t have such a technical team, with Zidane-like players, and that’s exactly why i’m so happy.
I’m sure, that with a relaxed mood everybody can understand and enjoy the funny side of the World Cup.
bye bye

Ashley, this is a football fan blog not a nazi racist blog for scum like you!

What zidane did was wrong but Marco Materazzi should have kept his mouth shut and not offend zidane like he did. Zindane was the best player in this world cup and he deserved the golden ball award more than anyone.Many people said he was to old to play but he played better than players that are in there early 20’s.I think everyone has to overlook this mistake that he made. He was an amazing player and thats how he should be remembered!

And congrats to italy they deserved to win just as france did and all the other teams.

to everybody zidane is a great player but lets not forget is also one of the dirtiest players in history,and he shoul be remembered equally for that.

For those of you adamantly against Zidane getting the award due to his red card, I can understand that. In the game of football, foul play and violence should not be tolerated.
With that said, Italy shouldn’t have been allowed to play like they did (same for Portugal, a game of playing dead). And on top of that, all major sports should be ABOSULUTELY free of racial slurs. It should not be allowed, red cards, law suits, the whole nine yards. Imagine the controversy if in an American game of basketball, a player were to shout racial slurs at another player, it would be a scandal!
With that said, in context, what Zidane did pales in comparison to the general foul play of the Italian players, and should not be held against him for the MVP award.

One thing that bugs me is that Italians always say they have 4 titles which is of course true but 2 of them were in 1934 and 1938. Can we put an asteric on that? 2 since the modern era which i suppose began in 1950.

Be that as it may I can’t support Italy because they don’t play good football most of the time (2 minutes against germany aside) and they come from a football culture i cant stomach. a football culture that tolerates play acting, brutal fouls, catenaccio and worst of all club level racism that is absolutely disgraceful.

I know that many italian fans are good folks but the system has done very little to combat the Lazio ultras or the Inter fans that would pelt Dida with burning hot flares not to mention all the other forms of racism that go on there – one small example were Mattarazzi’s comments that set Zizou off.

I hate that they – all the bad fans and bad people – all got to celebrate on Sunday and I hate that we have to deal with them for 4 more years. What a shame.

It would have been nice to see a multi cultural group fogeys beat them and then we could all celebrate in my view.

I think its wrong how his foul is overshadowing the italian victory and we should stop talking about it. I love the french team and Zindane but italy won.

well i didnt see many girls comments on here so i decided i should leave one… i never missed one game in the world cup! And so since i can say i know how teams were playing and what players played dirty i can honestly say that the italians were playing the way they should have been …. all of the other team for some reason didnt really seem to be playing with as much heart as italy did.they acted like a team they were communicating, passing, and scoring as a team! as much as i wanted france to win i honestly think italy deserves it the most!
rlkeeper!!

at sunstar.com:

“I held his shirt for a few seconds only, then he turned to me and talked to me, jeering,” Materazzi said a day after his denial of the terrorist comment. “He looked at me with a huge arrogance and said, ‘If you really want my shirt I’ll give it to you afterwards.’ I replied with an insult, that’s true.”
Materazzi did not say more but one report speculates that the Italy fullback retorted with a “I’d rather take the shirt off your wife.” Zidane walks ahead, turns back, two steps, lowers his goal-scoring head and wham! Materazzi is down on the pitch.

James… well said. I salute you.

And as for Italy, the teams are supposed to play again for the European cup. Can’t wait for France to pull a 2-0, assuming there’s a ref who knows his job.

yeah it’s true. nobody honest person can deny zidanes greatness. nor can we deny that football will always have racism, but that doesn’t mean we should tolerate or cover it up.

Its sad the way zindane ended his career but he really was the best player in the world cup and deserved the golden ball award. Materazzi obviously wanted to get zidane mad because he was just walking away from him then he said something and zinedine hit him. I think both materazzi and zidane should be punished somehow by fifa for what they did it was very bad sportsmanship on both of them.

Oh and Andrea, the media in France has publicised what exactly he said. And as I would not repeat it in full, I’ll summarize for you,”Ta mere est une *****. Une ***** de une Terrorist.”
translated…
“You’re mothers a ****, a **** of a terrorist.”

ZIDANE IS AMAZING HE DESERVES THE GOLDEN BALL AWARD!!!

First of all, you guys have to see things in many ways. Sometimes, you cant blame people for their actions. What might have Materazzi said that really got Zidane angry? What made Materazzi so angry to be saying something to Zidane? Why did Zidane choose to headbutt him? Come on guys, if I’m not wrong I believe Materazzi said something about him being a terrorist or said something about his mother, which is totally rude. Why does everyone get so angry when Zidane wins the Golden Ball. Aside from the headbutt, he was still a leader he supported the French team to become where they are today. No matter what he did, he’s retiring so I think we should all give him a break. In the beginning, Materazzi had his arms around Zidane not letting him get the ball. Zidane already walked away. He tried to hold down Materazzi, he walked away… But then for some reason Materazzi still has to provoke him? Like honestly! You don’t do that, it gets anyone angry.

I cannot repeat what the scum bag said to Zidane here, but you can read it here:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm

Cantalejo, the spanish ref that gave the Italians a dubious penalty against the Australians of all people is the only one who say the Zidane incident on sunday????? wow!

It is interesting to read all of the people on this blog commenting on how bad racial slurs and prejudice are only to see them using the same tactics…..this is ignorance at its best…….

Andrea’s comment makes more sence than Matt’s. There were only a few words said not all that bullshit. You guys will believe anything the papers say. Just proves my point you only believe what you want to believe. Both sides of the story people. Only the players will know for sure.

How can you people say Italy is not deserving of the cup. We won our group with seven points. beat austrailia (say what you want about the p.k. Neil, the defender should not have slid in the box at that point in the game) We handled Ukraine 3-0. We beat Germany (although we beat them in the final minutes we had the better chances) France, the ref awards a penalty 6 minutes in the game. (i believe materazzi got his body out of the way) We played better in the 1st half but france dominated the 2nd and most of the overtime. We won in penalty kicks. How dont we deserve to win the cup. We beat the teams that we had to play, give up only 2 goals (own goal, and p.k) the whole tournament, and we didnt deserve to win??? c’mon guys

Against Brasil-1994-, we lost on penalties, in 1998 France defeated us on penalties, this time we won on penalties! In 7 matches we got only 2 goals (1 penalty,Zidane, and 1 of our player).
And for Zidane this was not the first time. He made the same headbutt onece in Juventus and second in 1998 against Arabia Saudita.
Forza Azzurri!

This is pathetic. If Zidane had said the slur and any Italian had head butted him, you would all be calling for the Italian’s head. The media and most of the bloggers are just plain biased.
If I headbutted everyone who verbally abused me I would be in jail.

And why is what Zidane did considered to irrational.
He moves around the guy, positions himself in front of him, tkaes two steps foward and headbutts him in the chest. Thats not irrational, thats calculated.
Irrational would have been to punch him in the back or the side of the head.

Have to disagree with “bob”. Zidane did deserve his award, and I’m so glad that pig Materazzi got a headbutt on his cheast. He should go play rugby instead of football.

The Cup does not belong to this bunch of actresses.
/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpG4AHlZrL4

I am an expert lip reader. I have watched the encounter over many times using TIVO on my big screen HDTV and can say with 97% certainty that Materazzi said the following to Zidane: “I fear much trouble in the fuselage, Frederick.”

I think even if we find out what was said, it might prove to be anti-climatic, just a thought. what’s funny is: All this for an improper head butt (as it is not a TRUE head butt). He was mad, we get that, did he over react, probably and as a professional, he should have acted like one. Does it detract from him going down in history as one of the greats? Nah, at least I hope not.

Felix that was beautiful!

IF the so called profession lip readers are right AND he did say “Your mum is a whore of a terrorist” AND Fifa charges him for a racial slur THEN wouldn’t they first have to prove that Zidnane’s mother is not a whore of a terrorist in order for it to be a ’slur’?

i think zidane is one of the greatest players ever but lets not forget that he’s one of dirtiest players to i remember when he stept on a player chest in 98 so did that guy call him a terrorist to zidane should know better he is been a professinal for a long time he should know not to react like that in a world cup final no matter what materazzi said to him is you last game and he knows that the french team needed him so only zidane is to blame he shouled have just walked away and beat the italians cannavaro shouled have won the award

I can’t believe what I saw watching that game, but I knew something BAD was going to happen, it was something about the dirty plays (FROM BOTH SIDES) that had me feeling strangely. And, yes, there really were dirty plays from both sides!!! And it happened in alot of the games!!!I am getting really very angered at how mean people are being. Firstly, Italy won, get over it. We all might not be at our best sometimes, my goodness, it’s bound to happen. People are complaining they won on pks? Yeah, okay, in 1994 we lost to Pk’s-so whatever. Guess what, we made all the pks! France didnt. We didn’t score on a pk after seven minutes, nope. Yes, France played a better game, and had alot more shots, but, you couldn’t even get a goal! (Sorry, truth, look at the tape) We had two. (yeah, the other was supposedly offside, dunno about that one) And scored all five pks-no, still not enough is it? Do you know how many not deserving/deserving pks’ there were throughout the whole WC that led teams to victory? Yes, soccer is a game of skill, but it also is luck. Italy played like an odd game, and I hate their defense, but, obviously, they did a good job! But they didn’t have too many runs on the ball, and they seem frenzied when they did-like they were running around in circles, I have no clue what they were on. France dominated in most of the game, and lost-they, just like Italy had the same amount of time, and same amt. of players. And if you want to blame your loss on losing one player, then how good is your “team”-really? Explain to me why they aren’t allowed to win? I don’t think that Zidane in ten minutes or however much longer he could’ve had on the field really cost them anything, maybe his being absence from the pks, maybe, but that Trebeuchet (spelling, sorry guys) could’ve still been on the list to kick, and missed! Alot of times teams have lost that couldve been great winners…and how many times are there inappropriate behaviours on the field? Please! Do I agree with what Matarazzi said, whatever it was, uh-chances are probably NOT… do I agree with Zidane’s behaviour, no! Either way, the day is done. It’s not that they won and didn’t deserve it, it doesn’t matter wheather they played great or not, people will always have something meanspirited to say. There is no excuse for that kind of behaviour, even a German newspaper said nasty, bigoted things about Italians and the lovely stereotypes we have to deal with, and this in the country holding the cup games! Very nice! Very professional! People can be very mean and nasty, and when it comes to football people will skin their own countrymen if they are fans of the wrong league, but when their national team is together-all of a sudden harmony ensues…football is a nasty sport…usually OUTSIDE the field! It’s a shame Zidane is having to deal with this, but, it’s not the first time he’s been violent!!!! He should’ve held his anger and kicked his butt later…

you all can say whatever you like, but football is a rough game, ALL players kick, pull and push, it’s only the ones who get caught that pay the price. referees are FALLABLE and can at times see things where there’s nothing, and can’t always see the truth as it happens. it’s the game.
Now the headbutt is different though! no matter what any player says you CAN’T kick his ass….sorry you just can’t.
Materazzi said whatever, he was doing his job:offset zidane’s game. and zidane’s game was being offset from italy’s mid field and defense period. He couldn’t play like he did with brazil, which by the way is the reason they wanted to give him the award. i hear people say “france deserved to win” if so…why didn’t they score? the ref took italy’s second goal away for no reason…look at the tape…there was NO OFFSIDE! but that’s the game. still france scored only cause of the penalty courtesy of the ref who didn’t see the player DIVE…again watch the replay you will see there was NO CONTACT but….that’s the game. the aim of the game is to win. france didn’t.
ALL of you who cry for france….YOU LOST! and that’s it.
now regarding the award to zidane…
World cup football is a tournament that reaches 5 billion people worldwide, i think that the $$$$ it generates could be the foundation for some sort of corruption at any and all levels.
who cares he got the award. the world saw what kind of player he is. the good and surely the bad.

one more thing….americans from italian descent are NOT ITALIANS!THEY WILL NEVER BE!
and above all american don’t know anything about football. americans think the world is the US……sorry it’s not. it never was….but it’s not entirely your fault…you’ve been brainwashed by TV and propaganda for the last 60 years. you can’t help it. even though the US is a good place to live.
Peace

one more thing…france didn’t dominate the game…..italy dominated the 1st half, 10 mins inot the second half france came on strong and tried to score-they failed- italy tried to score and succeeded but the ref took it away.

the overtime was played in the middle. france pushed but to no avail.

Ryan, i’m glad you said what you did… I thought it was me being sensative… lol I think it were the other way around, and the player won the golden ball, everyone would be so angry, but since an Italian player got hurt, it doesn’t matter. It seems like that to me…I’m not saying whatever was said right, whatever it was, but how many times have guys on the field intentionally been hit and no one goes after them and beats them because you know it was intentional, he should’ve showed some class the the “great player” that he is and walked away, but he’s still allowed to be called a great player, but somehow the Italians are the only one’s who are “actresses” ?? Really, who’s the drama queen now? You make fun of me like i’m five and i’ll ram you like an animal? Oh, that’s really mature, you world class act you!

To
XoX and Shelbie

Xox…I guess the world cup should be given to
Finland. A great Football country. Get a life.

Shelbie: It’s good to see that the only people in America that actually know anything about Football are still the girls. Zidane was a great player …but a dirty player too… just like Materazzi.

France has won Ugly many times. But they always take the win and smile. So that’s the game.

FIFA announced that they are going to open a disciplinary investigation into Zidane’s head-butt, so we should put an end to speculation as to this incident now and just watch for the process of investigation.

By the way, I’m afraid you guys might call me stupid, but I must confess that Zidane head-butted Materazzi so properly on the chest that I felt it quite beautiful.

Cannavaro? Best player?? ::snort:: No way in freakin hell, imo. Though if that overrated Buffon got it for best goalkeeper, I guess anything’s possible. Imo, this Italian team was the worse team ever to win a cup. These guys have no stamina, they always look as if they’re ready to drop dead in the second half of the games. The players weren’t really exceptional, however they played a smart and cunning game which worked for them. That ridiculous penalty awarded to them in the last minute in the match against Australia was priceless. They really did have luck on their side and fought like dying men. I suppose what they lacked in talent they compensated for in persistance and wit.

As for Zidane, red card aside, if you put the best of this Italian team players together, their total talent wouldn’t ammount to half of Zidanes. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the golden ball than him. I think he’s been phenomenal throughout the Cup, specially so in the match against Brazil. As a brazilian, that was painful to watch. I don’t care what everyone else says about his exit, he’s one of the greats, imo, and should be remembered as such.

According to some international media, FIFA let Zidane have the Golden Ball just after they hired an expert team to read the lips of Materazzi and understand what caused Zidane’s action. It is said that Materazzi insulted Zidane’s sister. According to the lip-readers Materazzi told Zidane twice that his sister was a prostitute and also used a “coarse” word on him.
We all know Zidane’s childhood was not an easy one and I understand how bad that insult was to him. I belive Zidane deserved that prize and that Materazzi deserves more than just a headbutt….anyways…Viva Zidane!

Its sad the way zindane got tossed!! Though they’ll never admit it, the first time the linesmen or ref saw it was on “instant replay”, on the stadium monitors!! Is soccer going to allow replay like they do in Amarican football?- The replay sould have be after zindane was tossed… Why did’t we get a replay of a flag being raised???!!!

On Zidane against Materazzi: no matter how harsh the word you get, still you can not use violence to get even. So, Zidane deserved the red card.

And Italy deserved to win because they win the penalties.

Its as simple as that.

“Though they’ll never admit it, the first time the linesmen or ref saw it was on “instant replay”, on the stadium monitors!!”

FIFA does not allow replays shown on the big screens inside the stadium. Why else do you think the crowd was booing? They probably thought it was just another Italian overacting to get a player sent off.

Now whether the 4th official was looking at the replay on some other monitor… who knows.

I do not understand all the hullabaloo from those who have written defending Zidane. Look at a few facts. Before the final the French coach, Domenech, described the final as follows: “It’s just like all the other games. It’s a match. It’s part of the project. We had seven matches and this is the seventh and we are approaching it in the same spirit as we have the others. We must perform well and we must win so I can have a peaceful holiday”. Point one, it was just a match to the French. Point two is that in the 1998 WC during France’s second match of the first round, Zidane received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on Saudi Arabia’s team captain Fuad Amin. Reports from people close to Zidane state that Amin had provoked him verbally. At the time that match must also have been “part of the project” and “just like all the other games”, so why wasn’t just as big a fuss made then about Fuad Amin as it has been done now with Materazzi? The answer is simple. This game was NOT just another game as declared by Domenech, and losing it was too much to take, so someone had to be the patsy for the French loss. Can’t blame the French team. Blame it on an Italian player, then all French players are heroes and so is Domenech. Clever football politics.

what a shame zidane did. we will never forget his outburst. shame, what of the children watching the game.

I believe that ZZ deserved the red card!
No QUESTION!!!
However Italy has shown that they really are indeed the world champion of trichery…..the best (or worst) comedians…..
They do have some talented players but acting takes over ability and this is very sad for people who are so proud of their three previous victory in the world cup!
I think that they got what they were looking for:
1-Red card for the best player (a real danger for the PK)
2-The help of a fourth referee
AND
3-A trained staff for playing comedy!!!!
I talked to several Italians friends (the ones who knows about football)….not the jerks who go around town holding flags out the window and screeming like little girls…..(and whom most of them don’t speak two words of Italian)LOL
and all of them admit to me that France played better, finished the game fresher and deserved the trophy.
Well….my Italians friends I still love your country and your pasta…

Ciao………

shame on us for what we did

we are ashamed of what happened

@ x0x
thanks for the video link, that was a nice tidy propoganda film. Joseph Goebbles would give the maker of that his Nazi Party stamp and seal of approval.
It had everthing, subjection, emotive music and plenty of repetition.
And that one of Zidanes headbutt to heavy metal music and images of a bull were just as bad.

why zidane why?

we will have to wait now 4 years

we shall see what happens in sept

Ciao? Putang-ina!!!
Bette if both of you France & Italy go to WAR! WAR! WAR!

Italians are mostly catholic, but lo, after they won the f–kng world cup, they parade a coffin in France color! What a country. Disgustful!

I like to see France BOMB ITALY!!!

how many hookers in the Phiippines?

the people that are saying that Zidane has done this before…

isn’t it possible that Zidane has also been insulted like that before??

I am guessing he must be one of the athletes that is insulted the most and trashtalked to the most considering he is a top player and also because of his heritage.

There is only so much abuse one person can take before they snap!

And it’s easy for us to say he should keep his cool but if Zidane hears the same insults over and over, I don’t know too many people who would keep their cool!

If Materazzi insulted Zidane’s mother, on the same day that Zidane found out she was ill, that is way beyond low-class!

As an Italian fan I am ashamed for him :(

And people that are insulting Italy or Italians because of this are just as low class! You can’t judge everyone based on the action of one person!

Blame Materazzi for what he did and not everyone else!

Andn don’t blame the Italian team either or say that they didn’t deserve their win. There were alot of players on Italy that were the MVPs of the tournament, notably Cannavaro & Buffon and deserved that cup win.

Plus a lot of those players are friends off the field considering who they play for in their premier leagues. Buffon and Zinedine used to play together on Juventus, and you saw Buffon consoling Zinedine after what happened.

If the players can be friends and they have the most to win or lose in the game, why do the fans have to stoop so low as to taking the game even more seriously and insult everyone???

zidane deserved the red card.
france did play better but he didnt have to ruin it with that foul.
sicne he has done stuff like that before due to verbal provocation shouldnt he have learned by now to ignore it considering previous punishments?
materazzi shouldnt have said anything, but its the world cup finals.. they all say crap. some just happen to let that crap get in the way of what really matters: playing the game.

Clementz and Hannah, thanks a lot, very nice postings!

zidane mvp 4ever
world cup 1998
golden ball 2006
and all people who are not happy
you can suck my d*ck

BOB IS YOUR MOTHER A TERRORIST?
HA HA HA IT’S A F**KING JOKE DON’T GET MAD BUT IS SHE REALLY?

INDIA HOW IS THE HOLLY COW?
DON’T FORGET TO MILK THE HOLLY COW BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP
NEW ZEALAND ALL YOUR MOTHERS ARE FAT BITCHES AND WHORES

Those of u who blame materrazzi for Zidane’s exit are morons.

Why u may ask? He has a TRACK RECORD for such behavior. U mean he physically assaulted the Saudi player was a result of the poor guy saying “racist remarks” at him? Or what about the previous time when he head-butt a player while playing for his club? Was it because that chap also made “serious remarks” at him??

U are full of crap.

Zidane made a serious foul and he has to take responsibility for it. So he needed to be sent-off. End of story. But the problem with u folks is that u just cannot accept the fact. Why u may ask?Cos u guys made him into a super-hero, and even a righteous hero. But he’s afterall a human being. And when he slips, u cannot handle this reality. So u scramble to justify for his action.

PHYSICALLY assaulting an opponent is serious offence, and in this case over a verbal remark — which at this point in time the contents of which is still unknown. Had it been materazzi who head-butt Zidane, would u not have condemned him even more seriously, even if materrazzi’s agent would explain that he was reacting to Zidane’s “nasty remarks” of him??

Just because Zidane is retiring doesnt mean u can excuse him for his action, can u?

Even the french president chose to ignore his mistake and say things like “your a beautiful person”. The french president is full of crap, just like anyone who blames matterazzi over Zidane’s self-inflicted foul.

And to those who say Zidane is the best player — your’ crap.

Zidane is one of the best players — NOT THE BEST PLAYER.

So dont say this kind of inflaming things.

It was a perfect non-hollywood ending. Sad.
Just like a French Movie. The fact that so many Americans writing in are pro-Disgraceful behaviour on Zidanes part just proves they so much wanted a Hollywood ending.
Happy and cheerfull. Not at all based on reality. America lets wake up and learn something about this game!!!!
Zidane did a bad thing. End of story. The Team with the most goals won.
That’s football. End of story. This is NoT the first time a World Cup has ended on Penalties. Look it up.
Football is a sport that many have suffered watching for decades.. YOUR personal favorite team or player doesn’t always win. That’s what makes it the most loved sport in the world. Passion. This is not the first time Zidane has done this sort of thing. It’s just the first time he’s done it in the world cup final. He got what he deserved and HE even knows that. So get on with it. The Euro Cup is just around the corner.

@ Sammy
hmmmmmm….
actually USA has the worst stats on obesity.
So if our mothers are all fat then yours are all fatter :-).

ps. to Sammy’s parents…..please put your child to bed, seems to be very tired

ZIDANE GOOD JOB FOR WINNING THE GOLDEN BALL AND THE HEADBUTT I HOPE MATERAZZI IS LOOKING FOR A NEW LUNG
MATERAZZI IS HAVING A BREATHING PROBLEME
HE WON’T BREATH LIKE BEFORE ANY MORE
ALL MY THANKS TO ZIDANE

MATERAZZI GOOD JOB FOR EXPOSING TO THE WORLD THAT ZIDANE HAS A DARK AND UGLY SIDE TO HIM. FOOTBALL SHOULD BE PLAYED FAIRLY — AS WHAT THE PRO-ZIDANE WHIMPS SAY, BUT DUE TO YOUR ACTION U HAVE SHOWN THAT THE HERO THEY THEMSELVES CLAIM TO BE IS ALSO ONE OF THE “DIRTY” PLAYERS WHOM THEY TRY TO DENIGRATE.

KISS MY ASS SINGAPORE

For those interested the following was reported in the Herald Sun, Australia, today:

“They [Zidane's family] firmly believe Materazzi had insulted Zidane’s religion and, more importantly, his beloved mum with references to terrorism.

Zidane, whose mother had been taken ill to hospital hours before the World Cup final, is expected to reveal in a few days exactly what Materazzi said.

However, Materazzi’s agent Phil Smith yesterday revealed the Italian’s version.

He said it began when Materazzi grabbed the Frenchman’s shirt, pinching his nipple.

“If you want my shirt so much, you can f—— have it after the game,” Zidane supposedly said.

“I’d rather have the shirt off your woman,” Materazzi responded, a reference to Zidane’s wife Veronique.

Ka-boom. The opposite version, according to lip readers, goes that moments after grabbing Zidane’s shirt, Materazzi said: “Hold on, wait, that one’s not for —– like you.”

Zidane’s response could not be seen, before Materazzi replied: “We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore.”

Then, just before the headbutt, he said: “So just f— off.”

Italian papers report that Zidane started the barbs by insulting Materazzi’s mother, who died when he was young.

zidane got the red card..and he deserved the golden ball award..no questions asked..he was great throughout all the years hes played..it was just sad he ended his career like that..those italians sure know how to play dirty..but taking it to the point where u insult ur opponents is pretty sad..oh well u cant take back their victory..i was really going for france and zidane..

SINGAPOR
A COUNTRY OF IDIOTS

SINGAPORE
A COUNTRY OF UNDER AGE HOOKERS

I have just received an email from a friend with a photo attachment. The photo is the one at the top of this post showing Zidane just after the headbutt and on it are words, as if spoken by Zidane: “That’s from the Socceroos”.

zidane got the golden ball but with a red card.

italy got the world cup but with a marred final.

materazzi got a headbutt but with also with a bad reputation of a low class player.

Ha-ha, Patrick! Nice one!

Add to this another 200 or so players (including Italians) Shevchenko, Sorin, etc. That makes it: “That’s from all of us”.

Maybe Zidane was asked by all this nice players to teach Materazzi a lesson?

Italy got the world cup fair and square. It was thru penalty shoot-outs. Which means France could have turned out to be the winner.

SINGAPORE
A COUNTRY OF IDIOTS

I SECOND TO THAT!

If i was Zidane, i should tell Materazzi to go back to his mother. She has just found an idiot girl for him. Poor Mommas Boy! Their Mommas select whom to marry. Pathetic catholic.

Censorship…charming

People were saying that Zizou wasn’t in the same class as Maradona, I think ZZ said to himself – hold on, Maradona is in part famous for being good, but in part famous for going out on a cocaine rollercoaster … maybe I need that kind of controversy to be considered his equal – cue ZZ’s goat immitation

And now Tristan goes further to make fun of catholics?? Are Philippinos devout catholics too?

The insluts are not helping this post. I just do not like the way the Italians “won” this WC. Anyone with a good sense of football knows who played better and knows which team elbowed, dived, and insulted their way to the WC “win”.

Italian Players — Clean your Acts

Who played better? Its a matter of judgement. This is competition and results matter. And in the competition there are rules and regulations.

If France had won on penalty shoot outs, would you not say it was a deserving win also?

About diving- everyone dives, dont be a hypocrite. About elbowing, there were many done by the other teams also. About insults – Italians had to take most of the insults in this tournament do you know? For example when they played against the host country, practically the whole country was insulting them calling them names.

we win, that’all.you can speack when your land win 4 WC.after 2° world war on a roman wall was written:leave us cry alone!!! now we ask you:leave us to be happy alone!!!we respect everybody to 360°and we want respect where is possible

A bunch of divers, and 70M people around the world that exult in this win, you will never get any credit for this “win” from the other 99%. The enduring pictures from this world cup are a bleeding McBride and a disallowed goal from the US game, a 95th minute dive PK against Australia, clown Totti in an otherwise excellent semis, and of course the taunting Mothrfckerazzi deservedly drawing Zidane’s headbutt. The asterisk against your statistic of a win will forever be associated with an underhandedly-denied Zidane. And if you think you’re going to see a tourist bounce because of this, keep looking….And UEFA competitions are not going to miss your cheating Serie A clubs. FORZA ITALMERDA.

Results matter, but how you won matters most. I was not talking about PK, they are what they are.

But to elbow that poor U.S player on the face in such savagery, and to take a dive w/ Australia acting like you really deserved that win, then to have your players (not fans, these are controlled by the coach) insult and play dirty to other players. If you call this is a team that a football fan should respect; then something must be wrong with your judgment. I have no problem with anyone winning, but win it cleanly and fairly

oh sorry ….where’s usa honor? Iknow…it is in iraq oh no it was in asia ,south america everywhere you want put your nose .you understand of football such as a baby of 2 years.what time is it for you?let’go to sleep “patetico idiota imbecille”

Your points noted with respect.

But let me be more precise on my points.

Diving is done by everyone. Not only the Italians. If you get caught for diving wrongly, you won’t get the other player penalized. Instead you may be booked for faking it. It happens. If diving is such an evil thing, why doesnt fifa ban it? But leave it to the judgement of the ref? Just 1 eg. The PK awarded to France in France-Portugal match was considered a “dive” by Henry by portugese players and fans. But since the ref decision is final, we have to respect it. What’s there to say.

About elbowing. If that player can blatantly elbow in front of so many people, then he’s wrong and should be penalized right? So he should get a booking for that offence. Justice is done isnt it?

About insulting another player? U mean insult = not worthy/not clean/not fair play? Do you know what insults he had made exactly? If materazzi had made a serious remark on Zidane, then he should be penalized by the ref or by fifa. End of the story. But does that mean the whole italian team is like that? Maybe its only him who has such an attitude. You cannot generalize.

Also, if you are upset over the case on the USA chap, then surely you must be upset also for materazzi who got headbutt by Zidane. Or do you mean to say its alright to turn physical as long as someone made verbal remarks at you?

good job golden ball. You win the golden words. And for all that people who don’t know anything about football: fuck you and all the other sunday-soccer-fans of the world.

france deserved to lose, that’s it. They could have nailed us in the 2nd half, sure … did you see any goal?

and what about our POST in the first half?? forgot that too?

we’ve been a fortress. Someone who doesn’t admire defensive player is someone who never played football in his life.
Zidane lost it by frustration, (check his past record of red cards please)

and their penalty was ridiculous.

we get out of this with 2 goals conceded: a self-goal and that bastards’ shit penalty.
we were a TEAM, not a collection of stars. You can have your Beckham, your Henry, your ronaldinho, I keem my azzurri where 10different players (!!!) scored in the whole WChampionship. 10 !!!!

dixit
m+

ITALY
YOU HUNGRY ITALIANS NO VISAS FOR YOU
BUT FOR ZIDANE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ANY TIME BECAUSE HE IS THE MAN
U.S.A LOVES ZIDANE
GOOD GAME ZIZOU
ANOTHER THING ASK YOUR F**KING PRIME MINISTER TO STAY AWAY FROM
THE U.S.A WE DON’T LIKE HIM

Hey GoldenBall you say thank you to Materazzi????
I think you don’t know what kind of masterpiece of football in the Italian league is commited. The Problem of world cup is that some people wake up every 4 years to talk about things they actually barely know.

Hey clement. So you know alot of football eh? Are you one the ones who wake up every 4 years?

I also know that Inzaghi, Gattuso can’t stand with materazz’s behaviour on the pitch.

Well done Italy and fu*k mater(whaterver).

We don’t need USA, i lived there for one year and i think is one of the worst place in the world……Iknew a lot of ignorants people there, you’re the cancer of the world with your love for war and hate for all the people doesn’t live in your f++king country. No visas for you stupid young american. Stay away from me you and your little war brain. love peace

No golden ball,

I don’ wake up every 4 years and i often watch Ligua, primier league and Calcio as the french league really sucks hehe.
By the way, why did you thank materazzi axactly?

The football fans are the judges. Talk about what you think, not what Portugal fans think –Carvhloo clearly hit Henry’s foot.

De Rossi should have been banned from the world cup period!

“If materazzi had made a serious remark on Zidane” — I believe even he confirmed that he insluted him. And yes the whole Italian team are cheats, not a single one of them deserves any respect…betting on games (Buffon), hitting players (Materazzi, Canavarro, Gatuso, De Rossi etc), spitting (Totti), insulting, diving (they all do that.)
Again, this is the fans speaking for the faluires of FIFA to take care of all that ugliness that such teams bring to this beautiful game that we all love

WALLACE GO BACK TO YOUR MOTHER LAND IF U.S.A IS NOT GOOD FOR A MONKEY LIKE YOU

stop racism and nationalism. the world cup is over and Italy won it and they uhhh… deserve it (hard to say).
Zidane will be remembered as the best players from the last 2 decades (Marcello Lippi’s words) and MaterofNazi will be remembered as the lowest skillfull player and the dude who provocated the Zidane’s sent off in the 2006 final.
Cased closed?

Clement.

I dont thank materazzi. If u had read my posts (not 1 but all) properly, i’m against his offence if he is found guilty of verbal abuse that qualifies for an offence.

BEST GOALKEEPER IS RICARDO NOT BUFFON

materazzi’s wrong but zidane knows him very well because he playied in italy .there’s not the first time that zidane goes out of mind.we have the same problem during the european cup but nobody asked to totti what the danish told him. we lost 1990,1994,1998 WC in the same way but we told nothing.this is the football game!!!!

LOUIS FIGO GOOD GAME
THANK YOU

RIBBERY, MELOUDA GOOD GAME
THANK YOU

Hey nawarf!!
Now u are getting out of line.

“The football fans are the judges. Talk about what you think, NOT WHAT Portugal fans think –Carvhloo clearly hit Henry’s foot.” — Hey you! Are u saying the Portugal fans are not considered fans in football? Their opinion dont matter? Only your opinions matter?

“De Rossi should have been banned from the world cup period!” — By your own words — not mine — then Zidane should be banned from WC also. Why? Look at what he did to the Saudi player.

“Again, this is the fans speaking for the faluires of FIFA to take care of all that ugliness that such teams bring to this beautiful game that we all love” — so why dont you take over the job of fifa? When france was winning until the finals, i dont hear you complain about fifa’s failure?

SINGAPORE
OH MY GOD AN IDIOT FOR SURE
GO TO THE OTHER ROOM PLEASE I’M TIRED OF YOUR STUPID COMMENTS

for sure i don’t think usa is the worst place in the world……i was hungry with you sammy ’cause you identify football (soccer if you prefer) with life. I don’t know why you hate italian people (we’re different from italoamericans).
We have a great history in sports even though italy is a small place, we have a great history in culture, language, law (we invented law and justice during the roman empire even though we had mafia).Bastards live everywhere, they don’t have any nationality. France team won the secon half, we won the first half, materazzi told zidane bad things about him sister, like a lot of players do during all the matches, zidane made a big fault.We won with penalties…..that’s all. We played a great world WWC, remember tha semi finals, we scored with 10 different palyers,so we were the better team. Ciao

Portugees fans will have natural baises for the team. You may have the same if you are Italian

Zidane is a human being that reacts and gets mad, and believe I know that Saudi team more than you do. That particular team had couple of players that also used to insult others. Unlike the constant aggression that Italian players display constantly.

besides, Zidane did not make such savage hit like De Rossi, the guy’s face was bleeding for god’s sake – Also Sorin suffered a similary hit by that monster called materazzi.

France won all their games fairly and squarly – Spain, Brazil, and Portugal – I wish I could say the same about the Italian team

….angry, not hungry sorry

@ SAMMY
Because u show disrespect in your attitude, i will also not give u any respect.

YOU ARE INSULTING SINGAPORE for what? Because we post on the blog? IS THAT BLATANT RACISM and RACISM or what?

If you’re tired of my comments, GET OUT! Who ask you to read them – STUPID MORON

sammy I would like listen something of inteligence from you but I think that it’s impossible let’s go to sleep because we dont’n want listen an idiot like you. ah.. I don’t want no visas I live in the best place of the world full of art history sun sea good food and without superman like you.we respect everybody (no idiot)

And to MORON Sammy.
I’m not in singapore, stupid. And i’m not Singaporean, stupid.

And i doubt you are an american, for americans sound smarter than you.

To Wallace & Other Italians:

Your points are absolutely correct about your contributions to culture, sports, law, food, ..in fact too many to list – I still, and always will, love Italy

My comments are only relating to football and ONLY football – I simply have different point of views on that -
Ciao

For all the people who criticize how the italian players played and make jokes about ITALY are a bunch of jerks and no brains.

thank you Nawaf and I respect you.ciao but now I have to go out

ok nawaf, you’re correct. We are, like italians, only angry with all the people (a lot of people, make sure) talk badly about italian people, with orrible stereotypes. Good luck for everything, Kuwait

F**K ITALY
TAKE THE WORLD CUP AND STICK IT IN THE POPE’S ASS
HA HA HA

I feel really sorry for you SAMMY, you need help ASAP.
Try to find a good doctor. Good luck.

WALLACE UNGRY WHAT F**K ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT GO BACK TO ITALY
WE DON’T NEED MONKEYS
THIS IS U.S.A NOT A ZOO

SINGAPORE
YOU STILL AN IDIOT
HA HA HA
MARCO YOU SISTER IS HERE WITH ME

for the shootout, when the game is over, why not have the player be able to put the ball anywhere in the half moon outside the plenalty box.. this would be a better show of skills for the kicker and the goalie. it was a great world cup, again.

monkey???? mah, i’m sorry for you sammy! i wish you’ll grew up! You need to study, i guess. Thank you marco, nawaf and all the sane people wrote here

sammy you told the same things materazzi says…….are you him brother?

MARCO
YOUR MOTHER AND SISTER ARE IN MY HOUSE PLAYING WITH MY BALLS
THE REAL BALLS

PIERO
HEY WHASSUP MAN YOU GOT MILK
IT’S 7:00 AM YOU WANNA SEE AN EPISODE OF ME AND YOUR SISTER DOGGY STYLE

it’s only a game

I think its best not to pay any attention to Sammy … Lets all sing a lullaby and he will probably fall asleep, but don’t sing too loud. His mother shouldnt hear he’s still awake ;)

belgium
ha ha ha
thank you ortiz

you guys are crazy
whassup sammy

Hey guys, we shouldn’t pay attention to SAMMY cause he doesn’t have a brain and IF he has one it’s smaller than a fish.
Sammy you don’t bother me at all for what you right because I consider you an immature S.O.B.

ortiz
same old sh*t
they are mad because i said f*ck
POPE JHON PAULE

Sorry, I meant what you write instead (right)

sammy you can just understand where are your balls go to play with them to bed ciao ciao

sammy
why marco is talking trash about you?
i was about to said something about soccer but now i’m feeling like i wanna kick marco’s ass

sammy
okay man

orbiz you little coward you can’t even tell me that to my face i’ll kick your ass so bad your mom will not even know who you are…sob.

orbiz?

rocco f**ck you mother and your sister

hi all what u guys talkin’ about :) Viva Zizou :P

Us as americans we should feel asheme for what two jerks (sammy and ortiz) are using the language. Please grow up……kids.

Eu tb axo que o resultado seria outro se o Nuno Gomes jogasse, de todas as maneiras, a nossa Selecao Portuguesa esta de Parabens, “E LINDA” nos fez vibrar de alegria e emocao tantas vezes, em qualquer parte do mundo onde haja Portugueses, estou segura que se orgulham de voces.
OBRIGADA :)

Bonjour encore je pense son choix de zidane donnant la tasse en Italie.Vivat Zizou “je t’aime”

I am quite confidant that neither sammy or or ortiz are from here. No american would ever spell the last pope’s name JHON PAULE.

So i guess everyone has read the Klinsi and Lippi has resigned and Zizou speaks tonight on French television. should be VERY interesting especially as he won’t give a crap about what he says.

the moderators for this site must be asleep because they usually cut incendiary comments especially ones like “take the cup and stick it up the . . .” you all know the rest.

cheers

Hey what you guys talking about?

You’re probably right james, but i think sammy need to know how a stupid person he is…..probably he’ll understand it when he will be older.He can say what he wants about the pope, i don’t care of it, i’m italian but i don’t follow any religion i follow my sense of umanity.

Zidane showed the world what an asshole he is. I respected that guy until last sunday. A real champion doesn’t react that way. Imagine Pele or Platini doing the same thing!But he deserved to win the golden ball,because of his great career,that finally came to an end

Go Zidane Go, you still the best player in the world through the history. At the same time Matirazi must be out of the Italian team and must be off.

I think most of us would agree that Materazzi is a bully. But if you’re called a terrorist, it doesn’t make much sense to respond by acting like one. Hopefully both men will be punished in some fashion, as this behavior does not belong in the sport.

Shocked at what Zinedine Zidane did and no excuse for him, he has been punished.

What Metarazzi did is expected of all and any Italian national teams, They alway cheat to win. Mafia? your guess is as good as mine.

In 1994 when it was clear Nigeria was going to defeat Italy, the Italian coach asked his players to injure two critical Nigerian players, Amokachi and Amuneke and at the end of the game he boasted about it. That is the Italian way which does not surprise me, only Zidane surprised me even though I do not blame him.

Evil is expected of Italian national team but not of the French or Zidane.

Zidane won as the best player of the tornament because he deserved it period.

So now Sepp Blatter is talking about taking away Zidane’s award. Seems Sepp has a problem with fair play. How do we remover Sepp as FIFA president? His behavior in this world cup wasn’t fair play neither. Wasn’t it Sepp who said the Russian ref. deserved a yellow card and then a few days later changed his mind and apologized. We have to show Herr Blatter that FIFA is not his personal fiefdom. Dump Sepp and replace him with the Kaiser.

@Ayoola Oke, did you already forget that we won against Nigeria playing 10 against 11? who remember Amokachi and Amuneke?
Why are you saying Mafia?? I could say even more bad things about your country but I respect people and their history and do not make confusion between sport and some limited social matter. Mafia does not mean Italy!!!
Be fair with a Team and a country (Italy) that written gloriuos pages of soccer history. Do you know how many WC Italy won? how many Champions League italian teams won? Pls compare statistic vs France and draw conclusions. Only Brazil can compete with us.

any crazy rumors that zidane will be stripped of his golden ball should be squashed…that would couse riots and make the majority of new soccer watchers (such as myself) hate FIFA, Zidane was clearly the best player- Why dont they strip Matterozzi of his award instead? he notorious for playing dirty

Read the news? Zidane’s mother wants Matarrazzi’s “balls on a platter”. Way to go Mrs. Zidane. How about the guy who got his face smashed by your son, or the guy who got his toes crushed etc. etc. Want their balls too? Your son’s as big a goon as anyone. He should NEVER have gotten that Golden Ball, and maybe soon it will go to the rightful owner. You are one of the best that ever played Zidane but…arrivaderrci and sayanora pal!!

what a discrase Zidane should not have won.I am with you canavarro no dought…

Italy won the world cup? How can they possibly be proud of their girlish, homo-like style of play? They give the sport a bas name and prove to the world that they are the most undeserving champions in sport history. I would way rather headbut someone to end off my career than win a championship like that. 2006 WORLD CUP IS OFFICAILLY WORTHLESS NOW!!!!

ZZ IS THE BEST, CONGRATS ON A BIGGER ACCOMPLISHMENT THAN THE ITALIAN GIRLS!!!

http://widelec.org/zidane.html

Here…have fun with your great Zizou…..check out this link…

Once again, you were an excellent player…work on your professionalism, temper and restraint.
Arrivaderrci and good riddance…

Italy won the world cup? How can they possibly be proud of their girlish, homo-like style of play? They give the sport a baD name and prove to the world that they are the most undeserving champions in sport history. I would way rather headbut someone to end off my career than win a championship like that. 2006 WORLD CUP IS OFFICAILLY WORTHLESS NOW!!!!

ZZ IS THE BEST, CONGRATS ON A BIGGER ACCOMPLISHMENT THAN THE ITALIAN GIRLS!!!

What a joke. Those ‘girls’ scored the only real goal of the final…what does that make France?? How did it feel to get an undeserved penalty kick France…talk about a performance…every sports writer I’ve read said that was the best performance dive of the WC…also, they’re lucky that crossbar saved the great Barthez (what a joke).
Dinslo, you must be Quebecois…seperate from Canada yet??

GO ZZ GO!

Have any of you people even played soccer/football before? The vast majority of you sound like you’re albino, computer nerds that haven’t seen the sun in 37 years. Comments about people’s mothers happen every game, it’s the generic insult, (your mama’s soooo fat etc.) No one even knows what Materazzi said!! And those of you who are saying he has a “dirty” history, take a look at Zidane’s: He has had way too many red cards, he has a short fuse, resulting in his temper-tantrums. Zidane is a great player but…. After doing something like that, he doesn’t deserve to even look at the golden ball. How he even got voted is beyond me. Physically assaulting a player infront of millions and then receiving the most coveted prize, besides the actual world cup, sets a great example for the rest of us. That was sarcasm if you didn’t get that.

FORZA ITALIA~
Cannarvaro or Buffon Deserved that Ball.

THE ITALLIAN SOCCER TEAM IS A JOKE! DEFENDING THEM IS A BETTER JOKE! I COULD THINK OF A HUNDRED CALLS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN ITALY’S WELL DESERVED TOURNAMENT EXIT! I CONSIDER THE 2006 WORLD CUP TO BE THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND, THE BEST TEAM REALLY DOES NOT WIN. MORE PEOPLE THAN NOT HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR ITALLIAN SOCCER.

Yeah, go ZZ go…get to retirement…and try to score a REAL goal in your next WC…oh yeah forgot, your finished…

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY THE ITALLIANS FAKE SO MANY INJURIES?

DON’T THEY HAVE AN OUNCE OF PRIDE?

Defending them is a joke? Keep trying to seperate from Canada Dinslo, you have a better chance doing that then convincing others. FOUR Italian players short listed for Golden Ball, TWENTY FIVE unbeaten games including the final, two of the most thrilling and best set up goals to beat the HOST country (and a strong Team), FIVE PERFECTLY executed penalty kicks (not even the great Trezeguet) etc. etc. etc.
Keep crying me a river…and take your frustrations out on the link I gave you..that way you can keep head butting til your tears dry….

I WOULD BE ASHAMED TO SUPPORRT THAT TEAM!

materazzi is a bastard, instead of making a racial slur against a hero he should have been looking what his mother and sister are doing after the match. son of a bitch
it is we the arab who conquered italy once and they are our sperm.

BUT WHY DO ITALLIAN PLAYERS FALL SO MUCH?

WHY IS IT THAT ONLY ITALLIAN SUPPORTERS WON’T ADMIT THAT THEY FALL DOWN SO DAMN MUCH?

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO MEN PLAYING THIS SPORT?

There is video footage of France hacking at their legs during that game in set pieces…go look it up on the net…and don’t change the subject. ‘Girls’ scored the ONLY goal (and then a 2nd goal) of the WC final. What does that make France (or in your case, Quebecois, which the REAL French laugh at).
Kamel, say what you want about Italy/history. We’re talking football…so go ride your camel..

LOL! Zidane’s mom wants Materazzi’s balls? Well, then Materazzi was right: she sounds like a terrorist to me!

you guys are all so cute! You cant refute the stats. Italy went unbeaten. Gianluigi Buffon is a god. France are bitch ass fairies who puss out of everything [wwII anyone?]. Zidane needs serious mental help, Golden Ball or not. Barthez… ugh no comment. ha. just wait 4 more years to try again. Pick your balls up off the ground and stop complaining. Henry didnt show up to play. blame him, not italy, for the serious amount of French suck-age that took place.

mamma Zidane sounds like a terrorist to me too!!

Ha, ha!!! Balls and all Zidane!!!

I DONT EVEN LIKE FRANCE OR QUEBECORS PARTICULARLY, I JUST CANT STAND SEEING A TEAM LIKE ITALY WIN THIS TOURNEY, THEY PLAYED WELL IN SPURTS, BUT THEY JUST NEVER DESERVED TO WIN, MAYBE THEY PAID OFF THE REFS.

Italy was completely dominated 2nd half and all throughout over time…at the most, the teams were about equal in the first half..

And you wanna talk about bad goalkeeping?? how about getting CHIPPED on a pk!!?

Zidane was awesome throughout this entire tournament. came back from a dislocated shoulder in the final and STILL played…not to mention nearly scored! If you dont think that deserves the golden ball award… you’re a moron. The man had an amazing career, good for him.

Personally i thought zizou knocking the cotton out of a guy nearly a foot taller than him was pretty pimp…

So its out now, Materazzi insulted him on his mum and his sister. he said nothing of the sort that has been flying around ..he never used the word terrorist.

i’m a girl, and i hv been insulted many times by men for no reason..even if we refuse to react cheap men can go on.

do we react like this. dont u boys know that this happens ALL the time! irrespective of nationalities …ppl insult and provoke. all teams have done it at each match.

nothing, NOTHING gave him the right to do that 10 mins before the end of the game, however enraged he was.

and for the arabs who support him, dont forget he did the same in france in 1998 right in his country! why do some get away with this and some dont???

atleast he didnt say terrorist!!!!! wake up guys!!!!

Not Quebecois or don’t like France? Then what is your damage??? I was at the Germany/Italy game in Dortmund. Everyone knew they had just watched the champions of the world smack the Germans down..so Dinslo, go crack another pack of back bacon open, and dry your tears…stop defending France, they knocked out Italy in penalty kicks in ‘98, their turn to lose graciously (and they’re not)…girls will be girls I guess…

dont kid,

no one says he wasnt a good player. but if C.Ronaldo was deprived of his prize, why was zidane given it?

super! all the players from tmrw will head butt when provoked!!!! any footballer after the 9th has the right to do it and then blame it on provocation!! way to go zidane!

oh no. he deserved the golden ball BEFORE the frat-boy move. And ill give him a hand clapp for the take down of materazzi. that was intense! But isnt fifa supposed to be stressing sportsmanship? Chipped on a pk? yes that is true, but lets review the point of a pk shall we? Goalies arent expected to make the save. the pressure is all on the kicker. Maybe italy did pay off the refs. its not a bad idea.

You’re a smart woman Pia…way to go!! You’re right, stupid trash talk happens all the time, Zidane was supposed to be a professional, I’m sure he’s insulted people to…stop crying France and Algeria…you’ll get another chance…in maybe…eight, twelve years….

if deep down inside you are truely proud of your itallian team, and you believe that they only fall when they are tripped, furthermore if you are proud when your goalie celebrates by dry humping your goal scorer(german semi-final), and to top it off you can’t comprehend that FIFA may have rigged the World Cup 2006, then your are officailly a IGNORRANT HOMOTALLIAN.

Pia~~

im a girl too. and i agree with you.

dry humping??

thats hott

hey u think girls dont get insulted for no reason on the roads??? i wish we were as strong to head butt!!! the world will be fighting on provocation fm now on…

thats football ….its in the head as much as its in yr d**ks . insults r commonplace in football…or in any game for that matter!!!!

GO ZZ GO!!!!

Italy won, so what. ITs OVER!!STOP arguing and get over it. France is one of my favorites and Zidane is my favorite but Italy unfortunately won fair and square.

insults are part of the game. so are cheap fouls and diving. and if youre a girl.. so is hair pulling and scratching. you deal with it.

thanks , italia.

im not here to insult the french, but stop glrofying your “hero”. maybe on that 20 mins he just did on canal+ he should have been asked if he NEVER insulted anyone during a match..we’ll all have our answer.

thanks , italia.

im not here to insult the french, but stop glorifying your “hero”. maybe on that 20 mins he just did on canal+ he should have been asked if he NEVER insulted anyone during a match..we’ll all have our answer.

no wonder soccer is so low scoring in italy, all the players are scared they might get a little suprise from behind, that also explains why when they do occasionally score a goal the player runs for his life or should i say ass.

amen! im sure Zidane was COMPLETELY Innocent… bahahhaa

“FIFA may have rigged the World Cup 2006″ How did they do that by telling all of the other teams not to score against Italy? 2 goals – one an own goal and one a penalty kick! Defense wins championships baby! Italy = Champions of the world. None of your whining is going to change that.

Disnlo: Je! What a reaction! I guess I was right on target :-))

He mentioned he insult his mum, which is also “son of a terrorist whore”

This is what Zidane just said in his interview:
“”Words can sometimes be harder than actions. It all went very quickly and they were words that hurt me deep down.”
So now he’s a censor too???? I thought he played football?? Since when does a professional all of a sudden say…”non, you cannot zay that to me….”
GIVE CANNAVARO THE GOLDEN BALL FAST FIFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i would be honored if buffon humped me. yeah, i said it.

u french depress me….what i hv seen in the last few days in this country says a lot abt u….it has taught me a lot and it makes me livid.

learn to accept defeat gracefully. period.

piu aren’t you in france?

where is materazzi’s apology? This guy is a madman and everyone knows that.

Dinslo: of course she is in France you idiot! She said that! :-P

kwang : He mentioned he insult his mum, which is also “son of a terrorist whore”

Posted from Singapore

GET THIS KWANG OUT OF HERE! its ppl like him/her who cook up stories that hv been floating around for days now!!!

zidane said what he has to but the blind heard and saw what they had to. thats the french and their supporters .

KWANG UR A TWANG!

Oh yeah, it seems the whole world is supporting zidane 10:1. So where is “wow wow” victory ?

max/dinslo,

yes, im in france, i speak both french and italian (i try) and i have to live this in office where i keep quiet bcoz its them against me.

so i write here to say my piece:) hope someone’s listening :)

WHY DO ITALLIANS FAKE THEY’RE INJURIES AND FALLS?

YOU CAN”T ANSWER THAT!!!!

France was the better of the two teams that day. Italy were on their toes the whole game. This is probably why Materazzi tried to get Zidane off his game – the real man of the match should have been Materazzi as he succeeded. While Zidane’s headbutt is inexcusible, it certainly is understandable (anyone that is a target of racism would agree). I think it is really sad that they would stoop so low as to use comments of race and family to achieve victory. And of course Zidane’s mom wants Materazzi’s balls, he only called her a “terrorist whore”(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28783-2263995,00.html). For a Tournament whose motto is “say no to racism” Italy showed no class in attaining this victory. Also, I wouldnt say that all Italians are girly men, but running around in your underwear(tighty whities no less) and sitting on each other’s laps kissing each other – not exactly manly is it. (Oh and I’m from Alberta so dont give me that quebecois bullshit)

PIA LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY IF YOUR SO ASHAMED OF YOUR PPL’s REACTION!

haha pia, u are cute. but sadly there is alot of anti-materazzi sentimental going around. Take back the golden ball ? why not the italians return the world cup back to fifa? Both players should be sent off and red-carded.

no offence but be proud to say what you think dont hide and secretly player hate, be PROUD!

why do they fall?? because, they are just soo good at everything they do. their studliness is the highest level of itensity that their bodies cant handle it and simply collapse under all the stress of being such ballers.

there is your answer

I FIND IT AMAZING THAT NOBODY CAN DEFFEND WHY THE ITTALIANS FAKE THERE FALLS AND INJURIES?????????????

Kwang,

wch “whole world”? im sitting right here in paris and i certainly dont, and i know many others who dont. and im not italian.

u ooze of stupidity. im a girl but i follow football like any other guy.so i know what im saying.

as for the game itself: france and their lover boy zidane had 110 mins : what did they do? 1.dived for a pk wch they got . zidane was once more the hero.bravo zidane!
2.head banged
3.trezegeut missed.

thats all that happened. italy won. is it that complex to understand?

Since Zidane says he insulted his Mother and Sister does that mean that the lip readers need to change their translation to “Your mother and sister are a couple of terrorist whores”?

Pia – stop hiding in your office, and come out to face your french counterpart. LOL

what about the genuine pk that the ref missed at the end of the game?

Why you people pointing out one country to another and talking nonsense about history? Man!!! This is football. Actually I don’t want to say anything here. I tried to get official website of FIFA,but found nothing to post message there. I just want to say out loud to those people who have authority to judge: PUNISH MATERAZZI! HIS BAD ATTITUDE TURNED FOOTBALL INTO A STUPID GAME. HE SPOILED AN ATHLETE VALUE. I think FIFA should do something on it.

Pia: too bad you weren’t in Italy for the celebrations, I am sure you would have loved them. I was in Milan and it was a blast.

he realized that france shouldnt have gotten the first one anyway

MAX YOUR A GEEK

ITALIA: WHY DO ITALLIAN ALWAYS FAKE INJURIES AND FALLS??????? CAN YOU ANSWER THAT!!!

kwang, im far fm hiding in my office!!! its one thing to understand and analyse what went on and arrive at your own “informed and intelligent” take on things, and another to go about shouting and hitting.

i love this country and many things about it, but its sad to see ppl here defending such an act!!!

seeing fm the way ur writing, this is my last response. im not zidane, dont bother provoking me ;)
im a brave girl :)

uh oh max. dinslo called you a geek! im sure he was tlaking about your mother and or sister…
go head butt him..

that will make everything okay

Materazzi insult his mum and sister. Is the fact. full stop. Stop asking about the details, is highly sensitive. If that is terrorist stuff, the fbi and anti-terrorist groups will be involved, and he will faced persecution from the world.

Zidane has apologised, where is materazzi apology? shame shame!

WHY?

DINSLO!!! i already answered that but ill post it again ONE LAST TIME

why do they fall?? because, they are just soo good at everything they do. their studliness is the highest level of itensity that their bodies cant handle it and simply collapse under all the stress of being such ballers.

there is your answer

ITALIA REFUSES TO ANSWER BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE ITALLIAN TEAM IS THE MOST UNDESERVING CHAMPIONS IN SPORT HISTORY,

FAKING, COMPLAINING, FALLING = VICTORY????????

HE??? ummm lets say SHE

max,

grazie:) immaggino che sia bello. non sono italiana ma ho tanti amici italiani. ma non tengo per voi per questo. io credo veramente che avete jocato bene. punto basta.

i francesi possono rosicare per tutto la loro vita. me ne frego:)

Would someone PLEASE come up with an answer for DISNLO? LOL!
DINSLO: please keep going, you are entertaining at the very least! LOL!

finally pia, thank u so much for agreeing with me, but seriously zidane was obviously one of the best so dont dis him.

If Zidane is speaking the truth, he should have done more than just butt him. The Italians should be stripped of the cup.

Pia: a me il calcio non interessa molto, però i blog sì e questi a volte mi fanno davvero ridere. Credo anch’io che l’Italia abbia giocato bene, altrimenti non avrebbe vinto. Di dove sei?

no doubt. Zidane was one of the best. but his last “hoorah” made me lose all respect for him. bottom line.

Italia u should probably go kill yourself. ur nothing but a self diluted piece of crap, (and ur really ugly)

Pia – Get your last post. Every italian supporters who slammed the french got slammed many times more, so is good that you leave this blog like many others.

But don’t go youtube, it get worse. =D

brazil,

sure. no ones denying the stature of zidane. ut then again a great player who’s been playing for a decade now wouldnt have done that. im sure he’s also insulted ppl and he’s been insulted in the past.

if we blame M then lets get a history out of ALL the insults wch floated around all the last fifas. then all of u boys will shud the f*** up. or simply admit to being wrong. i honestly prefer the latter :)

If Zidane speaks the truth, which I think he is. Then Italy deserve to be stripped of the cup. Why should he be punished and not them.

THATS EXACTLY ALL YOU CAN SAY, NOT ADMITTING WHAT WE ALL KNOW PROVES THAT DEEP DOWN YOU WISH ITALY PLAYED IN A WAY THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE REMEMBERED AS GREAT CHAMPIONS NOT HOW THEY ARE REMEMBERED NOW!

Italia how can u say that knocking somone on their ass is so bad that u lose all respect, but u say the other intentional fouls are part of the game.

brazil~

mmmmmmm lets not stray away from the topic shall we? personal attacks dont make up for France losing.

but thanks for trying.

THATS BECAUSE ITALLIAN SOCCER IS FULL OF CORRUPTION, COM’ON WE ALL KNOW THIS!

max,

ciao, sono indiana ma vivo cui da 3 anni. mio fidanzato ed italiano. ma pure questa non e PER NIENTE una ragione di tenervi(si dice?)

e il calcio non ti interessa??? interesante..per una volto incontro u ragazzo italiano chi non si interessa al calcio !!! ma questo blog e un schifo. guarda la gente! ignoranti..piu ignoranti che matrix!!!!

Pia- It seems that you are seriously provoked, how about a cup of coffee to calm you down.

Anger is bad for health and so do vuglarities.

If you aren’t like it, tell it to the mind-playing italians

THATS WHY WORLD CUP 2006 IS A FAILURE

I feel very sorry for Zidane, as it was his last game. I think he should be allowed to keep his award for best player, as the world cup is not about one game. He played really well in the rest of it. In fact apart from that incident, he played well in that game.

“Cry baby Cry
Make your mother sigh
You’re old enough to know better
So Cry baby Cry”–Beatles, White Album

Dinslo, let’s hope you live in Quebec with the other ’separatistes’….a little trash talk NEVER hurts Canadian hockey players…you’re just like ZZ, ZEE little baby…..

ITALLIAN SOCCER IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ITALLIAN CULTURE.

Zidane is only to blame for losing the game for France. The Italian team are racsist jerks though (Win anyway you can – And lets not forget about match fixing back home).

i like italian food

WHY DO ITALLIANS FAKE INJURIES, FALLS AND INTEGRITY, AND MORE SO FAKE DESERVING WC2006.

KEEPCRYING IS OBVIOUSLY BRAINWASHED BY CNN AND CANT SAY ANYTHING RELAVENT WHAT IS QUEBEC ANYWAYS?

No one is saying he isn’t one of the best players alive…he was!!
He screwed up, and now he’s only PARTIALLY taking accountability for it by apologizing to zee little kiddies…meanwhile, he wept when he apologized to his Team, HE KNEW he screwed them and himself (but only missed 5% of the game so really, they were french toast anyway)….balls on a platter my ass…FIFA..GIVE CANNAVARRO THE GOLDEN BALL, THE TRUE CHAMPION OF THIS WC!!!!! (Golden Ball should not be given for a great career, should be given to the best player in the tournament)

yes obviously brainwashed. shut up

Dinslo- Because the italians have no world-class player like zidane ? So they try to use mind tactics gain upperhand ?

WHO’S CANNAVARO?

If italian soccer is a great example of italian culture, I am glad I do not live there.

First of all, you guys have to see things in many ways. Sometimes, you cant blame people for their actions. What might have Materazzi said that really got Zidane angry? What made Materazzi so angry to be saying something to Zidane? Why did Zidane choose to headbutt him? Come on guys, if I’m not wrong I believe Materazzi said something about him being a terrorist or said something about his mother, which is totally rude. Why does everyone get so angry when Zidane wins the Golden Ball. Aside from the headbutt, he was still a leader he supported the French team to become where they are today. No matter what he did, he’s retiring so I think we should all give him a break. In the beginning, Materazzi had his arms around Zidane not letting him get the ball. Zidane already walked away. He tried to hold down Materazzi, he walked away… But then for some reason Materazzi still has to provoke him? Like honestly! You don’t do that, it gets anyone angry.

Pia: meglio “tifare per voi” che “tenervi”.
Sì, hai ragione, sono uno dei pochi italiani a cui non interessa il calcio.
E’ vero, i commenti su questo blog spesso sono stupidi ed ignoranti, ma per quanto mi riguarda questo è ciò che li rende divertenti.
Hai ICQ?

100% RIGHT, FINALLY THE ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!!!

Keepcrying.. you are amazing. i have nothing else to say about anything.

everyone else… have fun sulking in your stuffy french tears.

Dinslo, the italians just straight up cant stay on their feet.

Dinslo’s a Quebecois separatiste…I hope France will buy you because the rest of Canada doesn’t care if you stay or go anyway anymore……msybe the U.S. too…then you’ll see if you can keep your ‘distinct culture’—HA, HA…

If british soccer is an example of the british culture, we ALL are certainly happy we don’t live there! :-P

kwang,

have u ever heard “when elephants walk, dogs bark?”

no? thats exactly what ur doing.

okay guys look, Italy did deserve the cup for their determination. all france did was receiving a penalty kick but Italy does have the ability to score a goal on their own. they have the ability thats the truth. i think zidane is a very good soccer player as well.. whatever materazzi said its obviously not anything nice to hear so i think people should stop criticizing zidane and let him have a great memory of himself as a leader. he came back out this year to support the team and they already got 2nd place which is not bad. but people should stop saying hes a stupid guy because he honestly is not. every soccer player has mood swings and on top of that materazzi was rude for making him angry

KEEPCRYING: WHY DO ITALLIANS ALWAYS FAKE FALLING?

KEEPCRYING: WHY DO ITALLIANS ALWAYS FAKE FALLING? WELL?

I agree about British football, and I agree with Rooney being sent off. He acted like a thug on the pitch. He usually does.

KEEPCRYING: WHY DO ITALLIANS ALWAYS FAKE FALLING? CAN YOU ANSWER OR WILL YPOU CONTINUE TO AVOID THE QUESTION?

Max – No worries. The British won’t welcome you all there cause u stinks and italians women have moustace

the italian lovers, have fun with ur heads up ur asses.

eddie,

ur not highly updated w/the news it seems. zidane just gave his offical version on canal+ (a national tv channel here) and M insulted his mum and sis according to Z. is that so new in a man’s game????? or even a womans game? cmon guys, gimme a break!

France is zee French toast for this WC….no amount of crying by Zidane, his mother or Dinslo is going to change that….Italy Rocked…and France lost. Don’t blame it on a little trash talk…blame it on the ONLY REAL GOAL OF THE GAME and then FIVE PERFECT P. KICKS…..and a great goalie, and a great defense man etc. etc. etc.
Be happy, it wouldn’t have GONE to penalty kicks if that other REAL goal had counted (offside my ass)….

IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT A PERSON WHEN THEY ARE PROUD THERE TEAM WINS THE WORLD CUP 2006 EVEN AFTER THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUSTED AGAINTS THE AUSSIES AND GERMANS. wHY DO ITALLIANS ALWAYS FAKE EVERYTHING!!! i KNOW THAT YOU GUYS PROB GO HOME AND ADMIT TO YOURSELF THAT YOU FEEL GUILTY CELEBRATEING SUCH AN UNDESERVING WORLD CUP CHAMPION TEAM.

Pia’s RIGHT!!!!!

Brasil10, go burn another statue of Ronaldinho down…why didn’t he show up this WC by the way, too many commercials maybe??

That goal was well offside. Keepcrying must be blind.

eddie- There are people hating materazzi than zidane. maybe even 100:1.

DONT BE SO HARD ON THE YOURSELVES FOR UNJUSTLY WINNING THE CUP. SO WHAT IF YOU FAKED OVER 100 HUNDRED FALLS, THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS A RACIST ON YOUR TEAM AND UNEDUCATED PEOPLE CAN NOW THINK THAT ALL OF ITALY IS RACIST. NOW THAT SUCKS!

eddie, its true that italy scored but i think buffon got lucky considering the amount of shots france had. plus buffon dove th wrong way on every pk. no doubt that dumbass shouldve gotten the golden ball

IS ALL OF ITALY RACIST OR IS IT JUST SOME OF THE SOCCER PLAYERS?

Maybe they fall for the same reason other players do…they’re tripped.
Listen Dinslo, you’re not a ref, you watch your games from a cafe in Quebec…did you go to a WC game? Are you a ref? Have you ever reffed a game…refs are sometimes only feet away, if they call it, they call it..this is stupeed….Zee France lost, it’s all over but the crying…

Pia – You missed the fact that materazzi was wacking his shoulder all the time. And Zidane broke down in the 80th min. can’t you see the picture a bit more ?

keepcrying,

1.real goal of the game – bang on!
2.5 perfect pk’s – bang on!
3.other real goal – im not sure. it WAS off side.

and its coming fm someone who’s happy for the winning team bcoz they deserved it.

france cribs and thats them….i’ve begun to love it now! its funny and amusing!!! it teaches me a lot.

some of the ppl on this blog talk crap….ignore them. they r the real racists and trouble makers. and ofcourse they’re all getting a kick out of all of this.

this isnt the 1st time zidane reacted like this…..maradona was drugs and dope but he kept it to himself. he didnt go about whacking ppl !!! neither did pele!!

if the french want to support it, let them. it says a lot abt them in itself….

if i dint hv my commitments here i wud hv packed my bags asap!!!! cant stand this whining bunch anymore!!!

dont worry keepcrying i have burned about 4 and 1/2, im working on the 5th

WHY NO REPLAYS—-> BECAUSE THEN IT WOULD BE HARD TO FIX TH E TOURNEY SO THAT ITALY CAN WIN.

Tine, you remind me of that British guy that sat next to me in Dortmund…all mouth everytime an Italian was tripped…until I told him that my beer better be cold when he buys me one after Italy wins….guess what? It was….

FIFA IS TO BLAME

another thing keepcrying. Why the hell do u like italy.

KEEPCRYING ISN’T TOO BRIGHT HE THINKS HE HAD A BETTER VIEW OF THE FOULS LIVE, THAN ME ON MY 60INCH HDTV. JUST ADMIT THAT YOUR PROUD YOUR TEAM WON UNDESERVINGLY.

Have some fun:

http://mediacenter.corriere.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=f6ad752a-10e7-11db-bfaf-0003ba99c667

Then watch:

http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2006/07_Luglio/10/pop_zidane.shtml

(Even the Brasilian commentator can’t believe Zidane’s reaction.)

Materazzi’s shirt:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1197/viewfoto2oz.jpg

The real reason Zidane hit Materazzi:
http://www.ggzidane.com/images/zidane34.gif

Sorry, I am angry that instead of talking about a football game, we have to talk about another arrogant Frenchman.

Oh, and all those of you who called Italian racists (including that scientific research thinkpad called “SOS Racisme”)? You owe Materazzi a lot of apologies (no matter what kind of sportsman he is).

the us is my no. 1, but they sucked this year, so i went with the best player in the world. ZZ

Everyone I have spoke to say France played a better game, and deserved to win more.

Brasil10, I like Brazil, apologies for my remark…I know greatness when I see it, and Brazil are GREAT!! You siding with the guys who are crying got me thinking that YOU at least would know greatness too…at least you’re honourable for the Ronaldinho thing….

IF IT WERE ME THAT WAS SITTING BESIDE YOU, YOUR BEER WOULD HAVE BEEN WARM, CUZ I WOULD PISSED IN IT DURRING ONE OF YOU FAKE INJURIES.

ITALLIAN FANS ALSO FAKE INJURIES IN THE STANDS TO SHOW SUPPRT FOR THE TEAM!!!!!!

How can anyone say winning a game on penalty’s is fair.

brazil10:sure ur brazilian? i thot u guys must eat drink live foot ball, like the italians do, btw .

a goal keeper has to go in some direction based on his gut, the direction he thinks the guy in front of him might shoot. and that depends on the history of the player in front of him.

zidane himself said on tv at 7.40 here (maybe u dint get to see the entire interview in ur country) that in his pk he was nervous bcoz he had a great goal keeper in front of him. and he tried to beat buffon.

buffon is by far one of the best football has seen. he made trezeguet nervous, thats all that happened.

re-watch any pk and tell me how many saves there hv been? or even how many times the guy plunged on the right side?

Zee France lost Quebecois….trust me, they don’t think you’re truly French….come on over to the other side…lot’s of French Canadians were celebrating with the Italians (the ones who were good sports)…..

I like DINSLO’s beer comment. Very good.

Dinslo, keepcrying isnt that dumb, hes unbelivably RETARTED.keepcrying if u think u had a view of the game live, just go rip off ur nuts and hang yourself.

max,

grazie per il mio lezione d’italiano del giorno!

non, mi dispiace non ho icq.

brazil10,

ur confusing me! whose side r u on? obviously ur just here for the kicks, arent u?

as for dinslo, all of u who hv just come into this blog: IGNORE him. he is crazy !

You spelled retarded wrong jag off…..keep burnin’ ‘em down Brasil10…it’ll make you feel better….
Dinslo, vive les Quebec…one day you might all be TRULY French too….

Dinslo does not sound crazy to me. Anyway the issue is should Zidane get to keep his award, and the answer has to be yes.

KEEPCRYING I AM RETIRING NOW LIKE THE GREAT ZIDANE, AND IF YOU WERE NEARBY I’D FAKE HEADBUTT YOU, THEN WHEN YOU UNJUSTLY FALL ON THE FLOOR TO PUT ON YOUR FAKING ACT, I WOULD REALLY HEADBUTT YOU SO THAT EVEN YOU ITALLIANS WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF REAL PAIN AND FAKE PAIN. CONGRATS ON SUPPORTING THE GIRLY-MANS OF SOCCER ON A WELL DESERVED FAKE WORLD CUP VICTORY.
FORZA FAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

pia shut the hell up any person can dive the wrong way. did you see ricardo in the portugal shoot out. He saved himself 2 shots and dove the right way on each shot.

AND for the record, im from the US. Hence why i said their my no. 1.

I have nothing to do with Brazil because they hardcore blew it this year.

Brasil10, to answer your question….they have great skill, the best goalie and defensemen, they score masterfully set up goals, they TRULY love football (not like the French according to another Brit guy I met in Germany..laughed my ass off) and I think that guys like Pirlo and Cannavarro make football truly great….

tine,

no , i belive with all my heart that rooney should have gotten the award!!!

its amazing to see as long as one talks shit, u keep ppl interested on this side, but the minute u talk real football, no one replies!!

provocation is all that works! well, u guys i will dismiss, but not zidane!

KEEPFAKING

PIA WE ALL KNOW THAT GIRLS CANT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SOCCER, YOU GUYS DONT HAVE A Y CHROMOSOME. WE JUST LET YOU PUT IN YOUR 2 CENTS WORTH BECAUSE IT’S POLLITICALLY INCORRECT TO SAY WHAT I JUST DID.

keep crying,

i agree with u, football “calcio” is THE religion of italy. the french r the new kids on the block…..countries like brazil , italy argentina etc can afford to talk.

do u know what football is called here ” LE FOOT”. what a joke, the french dont even hv their own word for the game and they want to win it????

Bye Dinslo…say hi to Quebec for me….glad you all enjoyed that great big boot up your ass…..keep trying, France will respect you one day….until then, arrivvaderci and say hi to Zidane for me too…is he going to Algeria or Quebec, can’t remember….??

GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KEEPCRYING—-> KEEPTRYING AND ENJOY YOUR WARM BEER

dinslo,

i feel sorry for u. even if i see u i wont bother to head bang u(whatever its worth, ofcourse!)

its clear fm ur comments that ur only being a racist against the italians on this blog. enjoy it, after a few more days no one will be on this blog to hear u out. say ur bit ….its worth too much .

LOLOLOLOLOL

dinslo..i hope ur still here!!!!

btw, its FOOTBALL and not soccer. get that right b4 showing ur ignorance . im sure u cant understand the game if u dont know what its called!!!!

PIA WHY DO YOU LIVE IN FRANCE YOU LEECH

AT LEAST I DONT BITCH ABOUT MY COUNTRY AND LIVE IN IT, MOVE YOU LEECH

Dinslo’s from Toronto….that means he was kept up all night by 1,000,000 people celebrating Italy’s win, not just Italians too…that explains it, he’s sucking out….beer was cold in Germany Dumslo….it was the women that were warm….and the Leafs haven’t won the cup since ‘67….nice try jag off….

YOUR TOO WEAK TO MOVE WHERE YOU WANT TO SO YOU BITCH ABOUT THE COUNTRY THAT PROVIDES FOR YOU

im here bcoz my non-french boyfriend lives and works here..i dont have a choice. but im sure as hell getting out the day his contract gets over!!!

VERY GOOD, SO WHY DO USE STEREOTYPES TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE IS IT BECAUSE YOU ARE A RACIST??

WELL KC?

dinslo…u tried and it doesnt work. give up now will u?

ur shouting in CAPS in all ur messages!

dont bother provoking ppl…we’re not zidane!

So why the hell is FIFA rolling out those extravagant yellow “Say No to Racism” flags during all big events, if it plans to do absolutely NOTHING when cavemen like Materazzi disgracefully hurl racial insults at other players on the pitch? FIFA (or should I say Blatter) puts their damn tail between their legs and pretends nothing happened. This problem has to be tackled Head On, just like Zidane demonstrated! Zero tolerance for such bastardo behavior. It makes me sick, and I can’t wait till new management with guts to do the right thing starts running FIFA.

Good for you Pia, why live in France? You can even live in fake France, Quebec up in Canada…it’s only an hour flight from Dinslo…

PIA

OH I GET!!!!!!!!!!! IT YOU’D BASICALLY SLUT YOURSELF OUT TO ANY COUNTRY AS LONG AS THEY PAY YOU WELL

When Zidane talked on tv, he didn’t mentionned the terrorist racisit thing because he didn’t want all the pizzeria to burn in paris or a hundred of stupid spaghetti swimming into the seine. Still, materazzi is deserve to be punished. He will. In a way or another. I hope for him that his sleep is deep.

wise man….ur too late. zidane gave his offical version 2 hours ago. and no one said the word terrorist.

its ppl like u who love to say it not anyone else…

ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU PIA THAT CREATE RACIAL TENSION AND MORE, LEAVE FRANCE OR ANY COUNTRY THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN!!! DONT HATE AND HIDE.

PIA SLUTS HERSELF OUT TO ANY COUNTRY AS LONG AS IT PAYS WELL!

WHERE ARE YOU FROM ANYWAYS?

Zidane missed 5% of that game….stop crying…he’d never get past Cannavarro or Bufon etc. anyway….AND, why didn’t he just retaliate with words…ever ask yourself that wiseman?!?! What, he had to lunge at him, Take a cheap shot? Why didn’t he just put up his hands and fight him?? He speaks PERFECT ITALIAN…he could’ve matched what M. said and maybe more…he got BUSTED, he didn’t want anyone to see, he’s a suck…just like when he head butted that guy in the past and broke a bone in his face…TAKE THAT GOLDEN BALL AWAY FROM HIM FIFA!!!!

wow! look at that , dinslo. im sure all ur french supporters will be supporting u now!

i will follow the man of mt life all our lives ….to timbuktu too….do u mind? we thot its a nice country and will be a good experience. thats it.

He didnt retaliate with words because he’s not a rascist pig like materazzi

im sure no girl will trust u for 5 mins let alone for a life time!!!!

as for yr disgusting words, ur so sick and dirty. u will get it back someday from somewhere. ur not zidane, so no one can save u.

alright guys and girls it was nice chatting with you, I like all people from everywhere and i dont judge people by the nationality, I just think that the itallians did not deserve to win or even get past the aussies. FIFA is corrupt. DON”T PLAYER HATE THE COUNTRY YOU LIVE IN ON THE NET PIA! Keepcrying you use stereotypes too much, get a sattelite and quit watching so much CNN. Forza “faker” Italia

Yeah you’re right…he’s a cheap shot, suck instead…better to be violent and lash out some words like a kid in a playground then to retaliate back with words…what a stooge!!!

what disgusting words?
did i miss something?

Pia – answer me why italian women have moustace ?

Did youguys already see this?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060712/wl_nm/soccer_world_zidane_dc_2

Let’s add fuel to the fire!!!

Go Zidane!!! Materazzi – be a man give the medal back!!!

I read a French attorney wants the final repeated if the decision to red card ZZ was based on video evidence. In this case, Frings’ ban was also based on video evidence. Fifa anything but role model in their decisions… I think the final should be France – Germany. Both teams deserve it. Italy NOT…

How many more years til the Leafs win the cup??? Is that a stereotype??…you started it dicklo, I ask you again to STOP CRYING..or keep crying, it’s up to you…all others can party for another week at least…accept that you’re not a ref…I’m all for instant replays too. Except games would last four hours

Hey Pia I’m not calling you a slut literally, i dont even know you, sorry if i offended you.
You seem to know alot about FOOTBALL all the best to you and your boyfriend.

never mind….u showed ur 2 bit worth on this site.

kwang: ur questions r not worth wasting time. ask something more sensible.

KEEPCRYING YOUR A SLUT!
hahahahaha

I cannot believe the way Italia got this cup… they should be so ashamed of themselves. ZZ’s mother wants Matrazzi’s huevos served on a platter. That woman is right. What a low life.. the whole cup was a disaster because FIFA is blind blind blind… the Italian Mafia is still well and alive in soccer.. Booooh… kwang, Italian women have mustache because they do not shave as they are supposed to.

well u just did . u cld me a slut the way u’ve bin using other insults. it doesnt bother me one bit, bcoz im here for my man and i stand by it.

thats love and maybe u wont get it…..

who knows they might transfer him to canada and i’ll see u there someday?

as for the french i tell them at work too…but they’re just too many shouting and abusing and saying things so i try to get a more international perspective here. but then here we hv ppl like u calling women sluts. sad…

DESERVING OR NOT DESERVING IS A MATTER OF SUBJECTIVITY.

THE BETTER TEAM IS THE ONE WHICH WINS THE GAME. END OF STORY.

Didn’t know Germany would get back to you so fast Dinslo….

And football from Quatar is correct by the way….

well pia i did not call you a slut, i said that if someone lives in a country and hates it, but still lives there, then they are “slutting themeselves out to the government of the country by making the country richer through paying taxes”, if you dont like france than dont live there! or at least respect the country.

what keepcrying?

Dinslo, you said you were retiring like zee great Zidane…Pia is a woman, how would you know how to talk to her?

are you twelve?

well..im not here to pour my life story. respecting the country doesnt necessarily mean agreeing with everything they say and do. i hv my own beliefs and morals and i dint react violently even if u cld me a slut(the post explaination not required, the word slut was enuf) . i expected better of france’s hero. thats it.

good night guys….

anyways i apologize Pia and i hope you understand what i was saying and dont take it personaly

good night

Yeah Dinslo…expected better from zee great Zidane…you just hated to see Ital win, now you use everything you can to taint that win…TWENTY FIVE unbeaten games with SCORES of refs in SCORES of different places/countries, you cannot FATHOM that so you lash out…you’re a cry baby…you’re a suck…the Leafs suck….France is just crying, you don’t have to join them…it’s not too late to revel with the champions….or, join hands with people from Quebec and keep crying, what can I tell you…
Smells ya later….

hahaha

did you guys see this already?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060712/wl_nm/soccer_world_zidane_dc_2

Materazzi – be a man give back your medal.

Ahh you saw it already – yesterdays news ;)P

It is VERY interesting how people continue to justify the reaction of Zidane. He is guilty. Why do you want to justify him? because he is Zidane????
and I don’t want to know what Materazzi said because he is not guilty!!!!
I am Italian and very proud to be Italian and to live in this beautiful country… and it is sad to read bad things about Italy and Italian people…

Yeah thats not bias…Zidane is guilty but Materazzi is not. Yup…Zidane must’ve just head butted him out of the blue.

Zidane should be stripped of the Golden Ball Award. He is a disgrace to FIFA soccer. The only award he should win, is the Cry Baby Award. Fabio Cannavaro outplayed Zidane in every aspect of the game. He is a true champion. Zidane is a “HAS BEEN”.I hope to never see him play again.

ZIDANE IS A FRAUD !!!!

if italians are so great and beautiful like laura said then why does materazzi talk stupidness about other people’s mother obviously cause you guys don’t know how to respect people beautiful my ass

not all italians but only materazzi should be a disgrace to fifa world cup using dirty tricks to get zidane out of the game okay we know italians are cheap enough to provoke zidane to win the cup

wooordddd

So what if Materazzi insulted Zidanes mother and sister, He should have waited till after the game and punched him if it was that insulting. Zidane will go down as a poor sport loser bald french fag. GIVE CANNAVARO THE GOLDEN BALL AWARD. He deserves much more than that Old man Zidane. ITALY ROCKS !!!

zidane got insulted!!!!!!!!!!

Zidane needs to give his award to Materazzi, maybe then crying little Italians will be finally happy.

Nothing was wrong with head butting Materazzi. I head butt Italians all the time. It is fun, and they deserve it.

BTW, any italian here who wants head butt? Call me, 1-800-MAFIA-KILLER

No, Zidanes sister got insulted.

woaah

and his mother

i feel bad for zidane if anyone said that to me i would of took a knife and stab him

I feel bad for Zidane because he’s BALD

Hey now everyone enough already about what happened. I will tell you all the truth right here and now on why I hit him with my head. I did not want to take another penalty kick because….. I SUCK !!!!!!

we know how badly u wanna be like him cause you know hes better than u stupid wanna be

yo andrew whoever you are thats so true i support zidane 100% ….. haha stuped wanna be’s

VIVA CHEATALIA!

CHEATALIA IS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!

ALL PLEASE, CONGRATULATE CHEATALIA IMMEDIATELY!

my brother is the best lover I’ve ever had. Even better than Marco.

Thanks sis

From Materazzi’s wife: No one can be better lover than my husband! Although he is impotent, and without balls, but he is still good lover. Every Italian is good lover, who says they are all impotent?

Phil: I feel so sorry for someone so immature , your probably bald yourself, poor guy.

no reply phil?

good one gaelan

your mom’s bald too gaelan check her out

All u sore losers!!! Look at you. U lost the WC and u desperately try to defend Zidane for a foul worthy of being sent off.

If the head-butting was done not by Zidane but by another guy (italian or french), u wouldnt be saying such things now.

But because it was Zidane so you guys cannot accept reality. You struggle to make sense of his action, and even now the man himself doesnt wish to acknowledge his wrong doing.

You say materazzi insulted Zidane’s mother/sis, but the italian denied it till now. I;m not supporting him, but its his words against Zidane’s words. Even then, you choose to ignore the italiand and even brandish the italian as a whole as being capable of such behavior due to one man.

Golden ball – Yes, i agree it’s a foul worthy of being sent off but you can’t be so naive as to actually believe materazzi would actually ADMIT to the media of insulting zidane’s mother or sister.

DID ITALY WIN ?????

Zidane Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!

Materazzi should be banned from international play for what he did.

They should play the whole game over… and let us enjoy more World Cup action. And if the Italians are so good… then they should have no problem beating France again.