NationStates Jolt Archive

Discuss.

he had a great career. What a way to end it....A red card in the World Cup Final

Zinedine Zidane: born June 23, 1972 in Marseille, France, popularly nicknamed Zizou, is a French Football player of Kabyle Algerian descent who has starred for both the French national team and for four club teams, most recently Real Madrid. Zidane is often considered to be one of the best footballers of his generation, and one of the greatest of all time. A midfielder, his elegant dribbling, balance, passing ability, shot accuracy, shot selection and well placed free kicks have made him one of the game's finest artists and the natural successor of Michel Platini as France's top playmaker. He is probably most remembered for his two goals in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil that essentially won the match for France.

You gotta love Wiki :D

huh?

why headbut someone in the chest?

Too many Z's

I agree...Why the chest?

i laughed. Headbutt in the end.

I didn't quite understand why on earth he did that???

Because he's an asshole.

I didn't quite understand why on earth he did that???
Me thinks he lost his temper, and wanted to make sure he was remembered. Bein sent off for headbutting someone in the WC final so hard he falls down (then again, it was an italian) sure made him go out with a bang... and a thud.

why headbut someone in the chest?
Yeh. Square in the bollocks would've been more stylish.

Because he's an asshole.

The guy he headbutted was no better. Insult someone all you like but don't go whinging when they slap you down.

Great player. Probably the finest I ever saw play live (though only on tv, sadly). I hope he's not remembered for what he did today, because he really is a football genius. Possibly third only to Pele and Maradona in a list of all time greatest players.

Me thinks he lost his temper, and wanted to make sure he was remembered. Bein sent off for headbutting someone in the WC final so hard he falls down (then again, it was an italian) sure made him go out with a bang... and a thud.
He'd have been remembered better if he'd captained France to a World Cup victory in his last ever competitive match. And he'd have been remembered fondly even if he'd stayed on but France had lost.

I just want to know what the Italian player said to him that ticked him off so much. Also interesting how that all 3 referees on the field missed it yet they can call down and let them know that it happened so he was booked. Not saying they should not have done that. Just noting that they did this in this instance yet in others (diving, missed calls) they haven't.

Me thinks he lost his temper, and wanted to make sure he was remembered. Bein sent off for headbutting someone in the WC final so hard he falls down (then again, it was an italian) sure made him go out with a bang... and a thud.
Be remembered? He was always going to be remembered. He's widely viewed as one of the best players of the modern era, and he had won a World Cup already. Not many have won two. That would had made him more memorable.

I'm sticking to my conspiracy theory: Zidane had been given orders to get red carded so as to help Italia win. Look: Henry had just been taken off with just a few minutes to go.
Suddenly France had lost their two best penalty kickers, with a shoot-out being an almost certainity.

If they show the whole episode again, there was no reason for him to headbutt. And Zidane started to take off his captain's armband well before been given the red card, and even though it appeared no match official had seen it. In other words, he was preparing to leave before he even knew he would.

My conspiracy theory is looking real good.
hmm....
Just get roswell and JFK in there somewhere, and maybe Princess Di (she was 'murdered' in France, so maybe this is payback for that) in there somewhere and we could have all the internet conspiracy nutjobs out there getting all hot and excited.

He'd have been remembered better if he'd captained France to a World Cup victory in his last ever competitive match. And he'd have been remembered fondly even if he'd stayed on but France had lost.
Yeah, sure, but this was more exciting!

You might be onto something. Perhaps the mafia had a stake.

I just want to know what the Italian player said to him that ticked him off so much. Also interesting how that all 3 referees on the field missed it yet they can call down and let them know that it happened so he was booked. Not saying they should not have done that. Just noting that they did this in this instance yet in others (diving, missed calls) they haven't.
Yeah, strange how they can use video ref in this case. I thought they weren't allowed...
more conspiracy!!!

Great player. Probably the finest I ever saw play live (though only on tv, sadly). I hope he's not remembered for what he did today, because he really is a football genius. Possibly third only to Pele and Maradona in a list of all time greatest players.
I don't know. I'm old enough to remember Eusabio (sp?), and he was the equal of Maradona.

Yeah, strange how they can use video ref in this case. I thought they weren't allowed...
more conspiracy!!!

Yeah, good point.

Yeah, strange how they can use video ref in this case. I thought they weren't allowed...
more conspiracy!!!
I think they went and checked the cams to shut the italians the hell up. And not even an italian would try to dive outside of the action to get a freekick... Not too often, anyways.

I don't know. I'm old enough to remember Eusabio (sp?), and he was the equal of Maradona.
I'm not, and the only footage of Eusebio I've seen is from '66. Yeah, he's a very good player, but I've seen more footage of Maradona, and he was great. Maradona took an average Argentina team to World Cup victory. Eusebio only reached the semi-final.

Yeah, strange how they can use video ref in this case. I thought they weren't allowed...
more conspiracy!!!
Erm, as far as I'm aware, the fourth official told the ref what happened.

I think they went and checked the cams to shut the italians the hell up. And not even an italian would try to dive outside of the action to get a freekick... Not too often, anyways.
But as far as I'm aware, they're not allowed to use replays to decide on-the-field actions.

Because he's an asshole.


His entire career flopped in that one second.

I'm not, and the only footage of Eusebio I've seen is from '66. Yeah, he's a very good player, but I've seen more footage of Maradona, and he was great. Maradona took an average Argentina team to World Cup victory. Eusebio only reached the semi-final.
Right, but Eusebio took a piss-poor Portuguese team to bronze, so it's a tie, yeah?

I'm not, and the only footage of Eusebio I've seen is from '66. Yeah, he's a very good player, but I've seen more footage of Maradona, and he was great. Maradona took an average Argentina team to World Cup victory. Eusebio only reached the semi-final.
True, but Eusebio carried an otherwise average Portugal side. For the size of the country, they were punching above their weight.

That said, he didn't have the character of Maradona, but he had the footballing skills.

His entire career flopped in that one second.
Yeah right :rolleyes:

About the "conspiracy theory" (funny post, btw): Seems to me that if I just thrust my head into the chest of an Italian (knowing he was going to fall down and make the typical Italo-Portuguese scene)...at the World Cup Final (perhaps the most widely televised event of any kind in history)...I'd be thinking I was caught even if nobody saw it the first time. This guy has something like 110 caps (international game appearances) -- he knows the drill. He took off his captian's band becuase he knew what he'd done was going to get him sent off.

That settles the taking-the-armband-off-early aspect, but that still leaves the "why".

Side note: Golden Ball nominees?

My vote goes to Buffon, the Italian GK. No goals scored during play by an opposing team, and the only non-overtime PK goal is in the final. That's some serious defense. Defense wins championships (a basketball aphorism), in football, too.

I don't particularly like Italy, but they have my respect.

Viva Italia.

Yeah right :rolleyes:


He was the reason France lost.

The ending wouldve been quite different had Zidane participated in the penalty kicks.

So yes he fucked it all up with a horrible ending.

Reminds me of that m night shyamalan film "the village"

I think they went and checked the cams to shut the italians the hell up. And not even an italian would try to dive outside of the action to get a freekick... Not too often, anyways.
I don't know about that. Watching the replay, the "fall" after the contact looked mighty unnecessary and dramatic...like a lot of Italian posturing.

Wow...I can't believe it...what a sad way to end a career.

Pretty sorry way to end such an amazing career.

He was the reason France lost.

The ending wouldve been quite different had Zidane participated in the penalty kicks.

So yes he fucked it all up with a horrible ending.

Reminds me of that m night shyamalan film "the village"
Uh...a completely different Frenchman missed his PK (hit the crossbar). NEITHER goalkeeper had stopped anything. Zidane's moronic move may have been disheartening, but it had nothing to do with the outcome, given that no other Frenchman missed a PK and neither GK had stopped a single one.

*about Zidane's importance*

First of all, you can't say what would have happened in the PKs. To be honest, Zidane would have been an almost sure PK goal. PKs are all about nerves. Having that extra goal might have motivated the guy who missed to get it in. Penalties aren't scored. They're missed.

Second, the game wasn't over when Zidane did that. They had another 3 or so chances to score. Who knows whether they'd actually have got the winning goal if Zidane was on?

True, but Eusebio carried an otherwise average Portugal side. For the size of the country, they were punching above their weight.

That said, he didn't have the character of Maradona, but he had the footballing skills.
Winning it is more difficult than finishing third (yeah, I know that's obvious). England weren't a great side (even though they won) and Portugal (however poor they were) should have beaten them with Eusebio in their side.

Zidane was a great player. He shouldn't be remembered for his red card in the 2006 word cup final. And as for the penalty shootout Barthez was never going to save a penalty. Italy would of had to sky one for France to win.

I had so much respect for this guy, but what a way to end your career and what a shame for him to do such a thing.

I don't know about that. Watching the replay, the "fall" after the contact looked mighty unnecessary and dramatic...like a lot of Italian posturing.
Maybe, but Zidane clearly did put a lot of force into that headbutt.

That settles the taking-the-armband-off-early aspect, but that still leaves the "why".
There is one possibility that was raised in the group I watched the match with.

Materazzi may have said something not abusive to Zidane personally but abusive to his team or country as a whole. The example we came up with was a racial slur on the team.

If it turns out that the headbutt was in response to blatant racism or anti-national bigotry, I suspect Zidane may be portrayed as a hot-headed idealist and get a lot of respect from the French as a result.

No excuses for what Zidane did, but Matarazzi must have said something pretty bad for such an experienced player to react like that, I reckon it could have been racist or something, as he's Algerian. I hate the Italian style of play and their fondness for dives and whinging, shame they won.

I had so much respect for this guy, but what a way to end your career and what a shame for him to do such a thing.

Whatever reason he had for doing this, it was the stupidest thing I ever saw. Minutes ago I had declared him the greatest and coolest guy I ever saw playing football, and was pro-France with all my heart; but after that thing it would have been a bad taste in my mouth if a team with a captain like that had won the final ...

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

No excuses for what Zidane did...
"It was a response to racism" is certainly an excuse.

There is one possibility that was raised in the group I watched the match with.

Materazzi may have said something not abusive to Zidane personally but abusive to his team or country as a whole. The example we came up with was a racial slur on the team.

If it turns out that the headbutt was in response to blatant racism or anti-national bigotry, I suspect Zidane may be portrayed as a hot-headed idealist and get a lot of respect from the French as a result.
Very good point. That's a very French thing to do.

I don't know about that. Watching the replay, the "fall" after the contact looked mighty unnecessary and dramatic...like a lot of Italian posturing.

Oh come on! If I punch you in the face, can I also say that your "fall" is too dramatic? You can't start throwing around claims like that. To be honest, I probably would have fallen like that too, partly because of the impact, partly because of the shock of having renowned France captain Zinedine Zidane headbutt me.

And what if it was dramatic? Why would the player let Zidane get away with this? If he had done what you wanted, he'd just get up and play like nothing happened. But something DID happen, and it deserved to be punished.

First of all, you can't say what would have happened in the PKs. To be honest, Zidane would have been an almost sure PK goal. PKs are all about nerves.
Right. Nerves. And you would say Zizu's performance today was cool as a cod?

No excuses for what Zidane did, but Matarazzi must have said something pretty bad for such an experienced player to react like that, I reckon it could have been racist or something, as he's Algerian. I hate the Italian style of play and their fondness for dives and whinging, shame they won.
There was a nipple tweak before the exchange of words. That's the sort of thing you don't really need in the middle of a World Cup final .........

"It was a response to racism" is certainly an excuse.
I bet that is the excuse. Good excuse at that, but sadly, not good enough.

Right. Nerves. And you would say Zizu's performance today was cool as a cod?

First of all, flawed logic. If he hadn't done that, then you wouldn't be saying that his performance is uncool.

Second, from what games I've seen, I haven't seen him miss a penalty in the world cup. It's a pretty safe bet to say, hypothetically speaking, that he would have scored a penalty shot.

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

But then again, that guy must be really, really lonely now ... Pity him. :(

*sigh* Why Zizou? Why?! You coulda won the cup!!! :eek:

First of all, flawed logic. If he hadn't done that, then you wouldn't be saying that his performance is uncool.

Second, from what games I've seen, I haven't seen him miss a penalty in the world cup. It's a pretty safe bet to say, hypothetically speaking, that he would have scored a penalty shot.
The post you refer to was a response to a 'what if' post. (EDIT: your post, no less) So... whatever. I'm sure he would have scored. I'm a big fan of the man. (still, didn't show the ton of steel nerve you yourself claim a good pk performer has to have, did he?)

http://random-m.com/images/773079146_zidane.gif

*sigh* Why Zizou? Why?! You coulda won the cup!!! :eek:
He's already won it once, he didn't want to hog the damn thing. :p

Come on, look at the guy's career: World Cup winner, European Championship winner, Champions League winner, twice winner of the Intercontinental Cup, twice winner of the European Super Cup, two 'scudettos', Spanish league winner, Italian Super Cup winner, Spanish Super Cup winner, three time winner of FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year winner, one time winner of Champions League Most Valuable Player (I didn't even know they did that).

Not frickin' bad.

You can't pontificate on a load of possibilities, whether he would have scored a penalty kick or not Zidane got what he deserved.

A man of Zidane's status should know better (especially the fact that it was the last match of his career) he cannot do what he did and expect leniency, it was clear violent conduct regardless of what may have been said. I hate to say it but rules are rules.

Unlucky to France, Congrats to Italy.

Great player. Probably the finest I ever saw play live (though only on tv, sadly). I hope he's not remembered for what he did today, because he really is a football genius. Possibly third only to Pele and Maradona in a list of all time greatest players.

I completely agree, but what he did today was so uncharacteristic of him because he was always giving support to his teammates whenever they got injured. I really can't believe he'd done that...and it's his last World Cup game too. *sigh*. If he hadn't done that, France might've won.

I hate to say it but rules are rules.

Congrats to Italy.
Ok. I now hate you.

I find it rather bizare(strange) knowing Marseille well , earning 15,000,000 euro month,still doesn't explain why somebody call you ,pussy french as well as dirty arab.
May be i'm wrong.
Italian needed and deserved the cup.

No excuses for what Zidane did, but Matarazzi must have said something pretty bad for such an experienced player to react like that, I reckon it could have been racist or something, as he's Algerian. I hate the Italian style of play and their fondness for dives and whinging, shame they won.

Again, Zidane does such a thing, and it is us who gets blamed?:rolleyes: You seem a bit biased...;)

Zidane was the best football player in the last 15 years. Today, he simply did something dumb, and foul. Let's simply accept both facts.

Ok. I now hate you.


Why, for being diplomatic and being able to see a football match for what it actually was?

Give reason for your unconfounded 'hatred'.

I personally couldn't love him more for it :D If it was my last game, world cup final, I'd sure as hell wanna go out like that! Hell yeah! Although I mighta gone for the face, you know - cause some proper damage.

Awesome headbutt on that man.

Why, for being diplomatic and being able to see a football match for what it actually was?

Give reason for your unconfounded 'hatred'.
Reason: must bother to add the [sarcasm tags] from now on. (a smiley, maybe?)

@Marvelland... no "Italy won" -thread so far... what gives? Gongrats you guys.

http://random-m.com/images/773079146_zidane.gif
go few seconds before

Reason: must bother to add the [sarcasm tags] from now on. (a smiley, maybe?)

Okay, still not sure where your coming from but what the hell..........should I say sorry for misunderstanding?

Anyway, only another 1460 days to go before the next World Cup.

go few second before
Kinda like this (http://www.pixelblender.com/images/pwned.gif), then.

Okay, still not sure where your coming from but what the hell..........should I say sorry for misunderstanding?

Anyway, only another 1460 days to go before the next World Cup.
Actually, I think it's 1432 days (next World Cup should start on 11th June 2010).

Oh come on! If I punch you in the face, can I also say that your "fall" is too dramatic? You can't start throwing around claims like that. To be honest, I probably would have fallen like that too, partly because of the impact, partly because of the shock of having renowned France captain Zinedine Zidane headbutt me.

And what if it was dramatic? Why would the player let Zidane get away with this? If he had done what you wanted, he'd just get up and play like nothing happened. But something DID happen, and it deserved to be punished.
Sorry, but a punch in the face (or better yet, a head-butt) is far more likely to knock you off your pins than a head to the chest. And did you see Materazzi's face? I swear it looked like he knew Coppola was watching.

Look, I don't defend Zizou's assault, in fact, I think it was perhaps the most boneheaded individual sports incident I've seen since Roberto Alomar spat on an umpire and a fan. I'm just saying it's nice to see that the Italians are so practiced at reacting to contact that they keep it up when the ball is not in play. Good for them and consistency.

go few seconds before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i_l0OeeMc

Materazzi had it coming.

Kinda like this (http://www.pixelblender.com/images/pwned.gif), then.
no.
they were not arguing with each other,not even playing.
i mean the pinguin

Okay, still not sure where your coming from but what the hell..........should I say sorry for misunderstanding?

Anyway, only another 1460 days to go before the next World Cup.
Yeh, misunderstanding. English not being my first. And no need to wait for that ungodly amount of days... European Championships starts... like now(well, next month)!

I'm sure we'll suck this time too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i_l0OeeMc

Materazzi had it coming.
Bullshit, Zidane should've kept his cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i_l0OeeMc

Materazzi had it coming.

more like it

Actually, I think it's 1432 days (next World Cup should start on 11th June 2010).

Thanks for that.

Phew!! I might of missed it otherwise!

Bullshit, Zidane should've kept his cool.


yeah!you are right.
Zinedine fuckin zidane

Bullshit, Zidane should've kept his cool.

First he holds on to Zidane in some bizarre bear hug thing to stop him from moving, and then says something insulting to boot.

I would have punched his lights out, and I don't blame Zidane for doing what he did at all. May not have been the most prudent thing, but, damn, it must have felt good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i_l0OeeMc

Materazzi had it coming.
Perhaps, but Zidane should've waited until after the match to whack him one. And then done it properly, rather than a headbutt in the chest. I mean bursting into the Italian dressing room and executed a flying kick to the groin. :D

First he holds on to Zidane in some bizarre bear hug thing to stop him from moving, and then says something insulting to boot.

I would have punched his lights out, and I don't blame Zidane for doing what he did at all. May not have been the most prudent thing, but, damn, it must have felt good.
It probably did, but Zidane should be professional enough to know that that sort of thing happens in football, and so should have been able to keep calm at least until after the game.

Kinda like this (http://www.pixelblender.com/images/pwned.gif), then.
OK, penguins are now officially my favourite birds. That penguin is anyway.

It probably did, but Zidane should be professional enough to know that that sort of thing happens in football, and so should have been able to keep calm at least until after the game.

Try telling that to Cantona.

I wonder whether Materazzi was speaking English, Italian or French?

Heh, just had a look at his wiki page, and (surprise, surprise) it's been locked because of vandalism!

For a Real Madrid fan like me Zidane was the second best player in history after Di Stéfano. I can't blame he for the situation because I understand it was the final match of a world cup, his last match, the things weren't running the way he liked and probably (when in-game it is very usual) the italian player teased him before.

I just can say this (of course, in favour of ZZ):

http://www.realmadrid-futbol.com/zidane_gol_leverkusen.jpg

Zizou scoring the best goal in the history of the Champions League (Real Madrid 2; Bayer Leverkusen 1). This goal gave Real their 9th Title.

The video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6968043898602215879

I wonder whether Materazzi was speaking English, Italian or French?

What does it matter? Zidane would have understood all of them.

Try telling that to Cantona.
Cantona was known to have a fiery temper - Zidane isn't.

What does it matter? Zidane would have understood all of them.
But something could have been lost in translation...

OK, penguins are now officially my favourite birds. That penguin is anyway.
penguins can swim.
Yhey also can read leaps

@Marvelland... no "Italy won" -thread so far... what gives? Gongrats you guys.

Thx. And, for celebrations... here (Rome) there's already plenty of them. Sounds like I'll have trouble sleeping tonight...:)

But something could have been lost in translation...

That would be ignoring the fact that Zidane played in Juventus for roughly five years, making it highly unlikely he would have any problems understanding Italian insults.

For a Real Madrid fan like me Zidane was the second best player in history after Di Stéfano. I can't blame he for the situation because I understand it was the final match of a world cup, his last match, the things weren't running the way he liked and probably (when in-game it is very usual) the italian player teased him before.

I just can say this (of course, in favour of ZZ):

http://www.realmadrid-futbol.com/zidane_gol_leverkusen.jpg

Zizou scoring the best goal in the history of the Champions League (Real Madrid 2; Bayer Leverkusen 1). This goal gave Real their 9th Title.

The video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6968043898602215879
Gotta love crazy commentators. :D

Gotta love crazy commentators. :D

"¡Viva la madre que te parió, Zidane, viva la madre que te parióóóóóó!" :D :D :D :D

Great player. Probably the finest I ever saw play live (though only on tv, sadly). I hope he's not remembered for what he did today, because he really is a football genius. Possibly third only to Pele and Maradona in a list of all time greatest players.

Maybe fourth. After Best.

Cantona was known to have a fiery temper - Zidane isn't.

Really?

Here's a quote from Wikipedia about the 1998 finals:

'Earlier in the competition he received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on an opposing player for no apparent reason. Reports from people close to Zidane state that the Saudi player in question had provoked him verbally'

Seems 'fiery' to me.

Really?

Here's a quote from Wikipedia about the 1998 finals:

'Earlier in the competition he received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on an opposing player for no apparent reason. Reports from people close to Zidane state that the Saudi player in question had provoked him verbally'

Seems 'fiery' to me.

Compared to Cantona he was a pussycat. But then so was Ghengis Khan

Compared to Cantona he was a pussycat. But then so was Ghengis Khan
Cantona is more independant p[ersonality,
Comic, Artist Actor Et emmerdeur...
While Zidane is not
Zidane will go the way geldof is for Africa.
A good name to use
Anyway Cantona is good,zizou is naive

Compared to Cantona he was a pussycat. But then so was Ghengis Khan

I think Ghengis Khan only had about three red cards in his career, two were for sodomy and one was for blatant canibalism.

Right, but Eusebio took a piss-poor Portuguese team to bronze, so it's a tie, yeah?
By teaching them the carefully guarded Brazillian secret of diving at every possible opportunity.

About the "conspiracy theory" (funny post, btw): Seems to me that if I just thrust my head into the chest of an Italian (knowing he was going to fall down and make the typical Italo-Portuguese scene)...at the World Cup Final (perhaps the most widely televised event of any kind in history)...I'd be thinking I was caught even if nobody saw it the first time. This guy has something like 110 caps (international game appearances) -- he knows the drill. He took off his captian's band becuase he knew what he'd done was going to get him sent off.

That settles the taking-the-armband-off-early aspect, but that still leaves the "why".

Not really. How many times have you ever seen a player accept a red card before it being shown, let alone after?
They protest their innocence no matter how blatant, in the faint hope it might sway the ref.
Zidane looked like he was preparing to walk before he realised no on-field official had seen the headbutt.

My conspiracy still stands!!!

There was a nipple tweak before the exchange of words. That's the sort of thing you don't really need in the middle of a World Cup final .........
Hmmm...nipple tweaking you say?
You think that maybe Matarazzi was coming onto Zidane?
That might explain it!

He's already won it once, he didn't want to hog the damn thing. :p

Come on, look at the guy's career: World Cup winner, European Championship winner, Champions League winner, twice winner of the Intercontinental Cup, twice winner of the European Super Cup, two 'scudettos', Spanish league winner, Italian Super Cup winner, Spanish Super Cup winner, three time winner of FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year winner, one time winner of Champions League Most Valuable Player (I didn't even know they did that).
And now he'll also be known in France as the headbutting guy who lost them the 2006 World Cup.

Real sad shame.

I'm not, and the only footage of Eusebio I've seen is from '66. Yeah, he's a very good player, but I've seen more footage of Maradona, and he was great. Maradona took an average Argentina team to World Cup victory. Eusebio only reached the semi-final.Eusebio is one of the greatest players ever...

but Eusebio is no Maradonna. (Eusebio would not make not make the all time dream team.. maybe as a sub.. maybe)

Here's a quote from Wikipedia about the 1998 finals:

'Earlier in the competition he received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on an opposing player for no apparent reason. Reports from people close to Zidane state that the Saudi player in question had provoked him verbally'Bend-it like Beckham

Stomp-it like Rooney

:D

Really?

Here's a quote from Wikipedia about the 1998 finals:

'Earlier in the competition he received a red card and a two-game suspension in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia for stomping on an opposing player for no apparent reason. Reports from people close to Zidane state that the Saudi player in question had provoked him verbally'

Seems 'fiery' to me.
That was eight years ago.
How many red cards has he had since?

Hey, without Eusebio, Portugal would have been totally wiped-out by North Korea! They were 3-0 down until he scored, and then, looking totally pissed-off with his team-mates, purposefully took the ball back to the centre-circle, shrugging-off celebrations, and placed it down firmly, indicating, you know, "stop losing to North Korea, you muppets!" Maradona probably would have cried or something in that situation, and Pele would have had a hissy fit. Presumably Zidane would have decked somebody.

I really would like to know what the heck caused him to do that. Those talking about him being held as provocation... have you ever watched a football match? Holding like that is nothing, it happens several times a match, and you can put money on it. People don't get headbutted for it! They seemed to be smiling as they walked away, too! I wonder what was said.

That was eight years ago.
How many red cards has he had since?

Well, he was banned earlier in this world cup...

Discuss.
He needs a toupét.

And now he'll also be known in France as the headbutting guy who lost them the 2006 World Cup.

Real sad shame.

No, he'll be known as the guy who won France their 1st ever World Cup. :)

Honestly? I feel terrible for him. I've been a bit of a Zizou fangirl since '98, and I've been rooting for les Bleus from the beginning of the tournament, so I almost cried when he pulled that stupid headbutt.

But I think Domenech got it right - what Zidane did was inexcusable, but understandable. This whole tournament, a ridiculous amount of focus has been on him, first as the poster child for France's "too old" players, and then as The Man On Whom The Entire World Cup Depends. That's got to put someone under a wee bit of stress. Then add to that 110 minutes of working your butt off, dominating the heck out of the Italians, getting hurt badly enough to actually suggest being subbed out, and still not managing to break the tie, and I can't imagine that he wasn't deeply exhausted and frustrated. I'm guessing Matarazzi's obnoxious comment was just kind of the straw that broke the camel's back. (One of the French players has apparently said it was a racial slur, which wouldn't surprise me, though I doubt there will ever be any official confirmation of what was said. It would certainly help explain the suddenness and viciousness of Zidane's attack.)

I just hope people will remember that utterly brilliant PK of Zizou's in the beginning of the match half as long as they do his miserable exit. He's far too good of a player to be remembered only for the stupidest thing he ever did.

If it was a racial slur then it is more understandable but anything less hen that and Zindane shouldn't have reacted. He probably shouldn't have reacted anyway and for those saying the Italy player went down easily, he was headbutted in the chest, what was he supposed to do, celebrate? A sad end to a wonderful career

I have always thought Zindane was overated, fantastic on the ball but never produced it enough to justify him as one of the greats. He started to prove me wrong in this World Cup but well, he bowed it in one of the sadest ways possible

Zinedine Zidane: BEST. PLAYER. EVAR. That's how I'd wanna go out.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1854/11524771132589ee.gif

According to some guy from L'Equipe on the Channel 4 news tonight, Zidane's mother had gone into hospital on Sunday morning, and Materazzi called her something along the lines of a "dirty whore", or that he'd slept with her the night before.

Something like that, anyway.

According to some guy from L'Equipe on the Channel 4 news tonight, Zidane's mother had gone into hospital on Sunday morning, and Materazzi called her something along the lines of a "dirty whore", or that he'd slept with her the night before.

Something like that, anyway.
LOL and he takes offense to petty insults like that? I'd laugh in the guys face.

LOL and he takes offense to petty insults like that? I'd laugh in the guys face.

Yea, but Materazzi was saying he'd slept with Zidane's mother the night before she'd gone into hospital (she having gone in on the morning of the final), and you would imagine that her being fairly ill would have been playing on his mind in some way, with him being a very family person.

Well, if the L'Equipe guy is correct.

While the physical action between Zidane and Materazzi (read: the headbutt) was completely out of line, there might be some explenation in why he did it. I mean, if he (Materazzi) had held me back when I tried to get the ball and called me among others a terrorist and given references to unsuitable things with/about my mother, I would have knocked him down too. Just, not in the chest. I think that a fist in his nose or a knee in his nuts would be more suitable...

Zidane has 14 red cards in his career, he was frustrated as the game wore on. The Italy defender is of the old school, will kick you to pieces then help you find the broken off bits of your body. We don't know exactly what was said and it may not have been much

And now he'll also be known in France as the headbutting guy who lost them the 2006 World Cup.

They would have lost anyway, the tournament was fixed towards Italy.

They would have lost anyway, the tournament was fixed towards Italy.
You still working on that theory?

You still working on that theory?

I have no doubt about it.

I didn't quite understand why on earth he did that???
Because the other guy called him a "son of a terrorist whore"

I admire his restraint.

Materazzi deserved the headbutt more that Zidane deserved sending off, but refs don't take that into concideration.
According to BBC news Materazzi wished an 'Ugly death' on Zidane's family, on the day his mother was taken ill in hospital.
Personaly I would have done the same if I was Zidane.
What a good butt it was as well. :)

They would have lost anyway, the tournament was fixed towards Italy.

:rolleyes:

They would have lost anyway, the tournament was fixed towards Italy.

Then why did Italy have a man suspended for five games? Three players sent off overall, one against Austrilia that was no way a red card but the players got suspended anyway

Ok those saying Italy guy deserved it: the accounts do not add up, people ar ejust trying to pull Zindane's name out of the mud. As for what the ref should have done, he didn't hear anything and was right to send off Zidane

Ok those saying Italy guy deserved it: the accounts do not add up, people ar ejust trying to pull Zindane's name out of the mud. As for what the ref should have done, he didn't hear anything and was right to send off Zidane

I'd say that "the referee was right to give Zidane a red card" and "Materazzi probably deserved it" are not mutually exclusive statements. What Zizou did was stupid and inexcusable, but taunting opposing players as soon as you're out of earshot of the refs is hardly good sportsmanship either.

And as for pulling Zidane's name out of the mud, he doesn't need it. As I said, what he did was stupid and inexcusable, but one moment of stupidity doesn't erase an otherwise brilliant performance and an incredible career, even if it's eclipsing them for the time being.

I'd say that "the referee was right to give Zidane a red card" and "Materazzi probably deserved it" are not mutually exclusive statements. What Zizou did was stupid and inexcusable, but taunting opposing players as soon as you're out of earshot of the refs is hardly good sportsmanship either.

And as for pulling Zidane's name out of the mud, he doesn't need it. As I said, what he did was stupid and inexcusable, but one moment of stupidity doesn't erase an otherwise brilliant performance and an incredible career, even if it's eclipsing them for the time being.

Ribbing them a bit is fine, tuanting not so but it happens, however most players don't go headbutting for that. Now if it is confirmed that the tuant was as bad as suggested, there is a case for exusing Zidane

He got sent off for voilent contact in his last game and may have cost the team the World Cup. People are trying to move all the mud into the Italy defender

Then why did Italy have a man suspended for five games? Three players sent off overall, one against Austrilia that was no way a red card but the players got suspended anyway

Keeping up appearances. The refs are just as good actors as the Italian players.

Keeping up appearances. The refs are just as good actors as the Italian players.

So putting Italy a goal down in the final was a good thing? Sending a man off against Austrilia and then keeping him suspended was a good thing? Five man suspenion was something Italy wanted? They could have got away with just three

Zidane should have held his nerve. I mean wtf? No matter what was said you take your angry out with great skills on the field. It was an act of pure stupity and it's a real shame that's how his wonderful career ended.

Real dicky thing to do.

Ever since seeing Zidane's behaviour towards Materazzi during the match between Italy and France, I was wondering what could possibly have provoked it.

So, here's one explanation :


London - Italy's Marco Materazzi called Zinedine Zidane a "son of a terrorist whore" just before the France captain gave him a brutal headbutt in the World Cup final, Britain's top forensic lip reader says.

The Times newspaper hired Jessica Rees, whose skill has seen her summoned as an expert witness at criminal trials, to study a tape of Sunday's match that saw Zidane get a red card for his seemingly spontaneous assault.

"After an exhaustive study of the match video, and with the help of an Italian translator, Rees claimed that Materazzi called Zidane 'the son of a terrorist whore' before adding 'so just f*** off' for good measure," it said.

Materazzi on Monday denied calling Zidane a terrorist, adding that "I don't even know what the word means".

The Daily Mail - who wrongly described Marseilles native Zidane as "Algeria-born" - said on Tuesday that it too engaged the services of a lip reader, whom it did not identify, who reached the exact same conclusion as Rees.

The Independent cited lip readers for Brazil's Globo television as concluding that Materazzi had told Zidane that his sister was a "prostitute".

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2833&art_id=qw1152604441937S163

If those allegations turn out to be true, should there be consequences? What do you think?

I heard he called his mother an Algerian slut.

I don't Zizou should have reacted the way he did though.

Sounds like rumor..

If those allegations turn out to be true, should there be consequences? What do you think?

Yeah Zidane should be banned from playing again.

I heard he called his mother an Algerian slut.

I don't Zizou should have reacted the way he did though.

Clearly not. He deserved that red card, that was simply no way to behave. End of story there.
But to be honest, it's no way to behave for a player to behave in an international game. Or any game, for that matter. Fifa shouldn't stand for it.

If those allegations turn out to be true, should there be consequences? What do you think?

Yes, Materazzi should be punished then. His punishment should be less than Zidanes though.

Yeah Zidane should be banned from playing again.

He retired anyway...

On the news they just said that Materazzi has admitted to have insulted Zidane in that scene (because Zidane had insulted him before) but he had neither called him a terrorist nor somehow insulted his mother.

Of course, they (and he, likely) didn't say what he *did* actually say then.

Meh.

Clearly not. He deserved that red card, that was simply no way to behave. End of story there.
But to be honest, it's no way to behave for a player to behave in an international game. Or any game, for that matter. Fifa shouldn't stand for it.
The Italian didn't even have to dive for once. It was a fuckin' solid hit.

I still think Zizou is awesome. There is no doubt about his talent.. But man, to end it like that? T'is a real shame.

Nooooooo.

You people are killing me - another thread on Zidane? What, the other seven didn't do it for you? :p Soon, Zizou will have taken over the forum.

Although I'm glad I opted for laughter on the other thread, because this:
Materazzi on Monday denied calling Zidane a terrorist, adding that "I don't even know what the word means".
is hilarious. :p

He retired anyway...

Banned from coaching and banned from stadiums too.

Although I'm glad I opted for laughter on the other thread, because this:

is hilarious. :p


Yep, I quite liked that one myself. Talk about a really cheap excuse ... :D

Yeah Zidane should be banned from playing again.

Like they would ever ban a player that popular over something so small.

I think the decision was right though, and Matterazi shouldnt be banned for any number of matches, disciplined though maybe. You cant police what a player says on the pitch and after playing for so long I would have thought Zidane would have heard it all before and learnt to control himself.

Nooooooo.

You people are killing me - another thread on Zidane? What, the other seven didn't do it for you? :p Soon, Zizou will have taken over the forum.

Although I'm glad I opted for laughter on the other thread, because this:
Materazzi on Monday denied calling Zidane a terrorist, adding that "I don't even know what the word means".
is hilarious. :pI thought the same thing when I read that. That's hilarious.

The Italian didn't even have to dive for once. It was a fuckin' solid hit.

I still think Zizou is awesome. There is no doubt about his talent.. But man, to end it like that? T'is a real shame.

A clip of the incident
http://members.home.nl/m.spijker/dnbforum/zidane-big.gif

It was clearly a dive... a headbutt to the chest..ISNT enough to take your legs out...

Dispite him being french, I have respect for the guy... Not everyone has the balls (or the head) to retaliate when it was reasonable to...

"Reportedly, the deaf forensic lip-reader Jessica Rees was employed to analyze the video sequences with the help of an Italian translator. According to these reports, Materazzi spoke in Italian - a language understood by Zidane due to his time spent with Juventus F.C. - and first told him: "Hold on, wait, that one's not for a ****** like you." As the players walked forward, Materazzi allegedly said: "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore." Then, just before the headbutt, he was seen saying: "So just fuck off." According to Brazilian TV Rede Globo, a lip-reader claimed that Materazzi twice called Zidane's sister a prostitute. Earlier claims about Materazzi having called his opponent a "dirty terrorist" have been denied by Materazzi, who reportedly said: "It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means."

And he went on to win Best Player of the World Cup (Golden Ball award)

Like they would ever ban a player that popular over something so small.

I think the decision was right though, and Matterazi shouldnt be banned for any number of matches, disciplined though maybe. You cant police what a player says on the pitch and after playing for so long I would have thought Zidane would have heard it all before and learnt to control himself.

If they can ban Frings for waving his arms after the game against Argentina, I don't see why they shouldn't ban Materazzi for slandering an opponent during a game....

A clip of the incident
http://members.home.nl/m.spijker/dnbforum/zidane-big.gif

It was clearly a dive... a headbutt to the chest..ISNT enough to take your legs out...

Dispite him being french, I have respect for the guy... Not everyone has the balls (or the head) to retaliate when it was reasonable to....
Retaliation in modern day sport isn't reasonable. It's just pathetic. The bigger man is he who can walk away. I have respect for his football skills and not much else at the moment.. A dive? So what he was expecting it?? No.

Materazzi on Monday denied calling Zidane a terrorist, adding that "I don't even know what the word means".
He couldn't have made it any more obvious that is what he said.

He's italian, perhaps he doesn't know what the english word "Terrorist" means?

Living in todays world.. Id have thought it impossible not to know the word 'terrorist', especially living in Europe...

Living in todays world.. Id have thought it impossible not to know the word 'terrorist', especially living in Europe...
But they didn't say "The italian equivilent of terrorist" They said "Terrorist". It was just a thought anyway, for all I know the guy majored in english at Oxford...

But they didn't say "The italian equivilent of terrorist" They said "Terrorist". It was just a thought anyway, for all I know the guy majored in english at Oxford...

Considering the Italian word for terrorist is terrorista I do not think that translation would pose a problem.

He's italian, perhaps he doesn't know what the english word "Terrorist" means?

He did speak Italian. And so does Zidane....

When then my theory is blown out of the water. Carry on.

If they can ban Frings for waving his arms after the game against Argentina, I don't see why they shouldn't ban Materazzi for slandering an opponent during a game....
One is flaming, the other is flamebaiting. :p

This stuff happens ALL the time is sport, not just football. It is SUPPOSED to wind the other player up- to frustrate them, to anger them, to make them lose concentration on the game.... it worked didn't it? (not condoning the verbal abuse by the way)

Zidane still had the choice to walk away. He committed violent conduct on another player. He still has no one to blame but himself.

And anyway, he'll probably keep quiet so he can put it in his next book. ;) (Shades of Roy Keane)

To be honest footballers get verbal abuse from each other regularly and most footballers choose to ignore it... What Zizou did was inexcusable. The only example of ignoring abuse that I remember is when Diouf spat in De Zeuew's face during a Portsmouth/Bolton match. De Zeuew could easily have reacted to it but instead he just wiped his face and continued with the game. That sort of tolerance is commendable and it is an example that many players follow... Obviously Zizou just blew his top.

heard last night on the news that zidans mum is currently very ill and that's why he reacted so badly.

Personally i don't think that's an excuse. The guy baited him and got a reaction. Also he's a football icon in France he has to live up to a certain standard. IMP

To be honest footballers get verbal abuse from each other regularly and most footballers choose to ignore it...

That however does not make it right.

What Zizou did was inexcusable.

True. However, it would be nice if there was a way he could have punished the offending player legally.

Slightly different story from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5168126.stm

"I held his shirt, for only a few seconds," said Materazzi, who had scored Italy's equaliser after Zidane put France ahead from the penalty spot.

"He turned towards me and scoffed at me, looking at me with super arrogance, up and down.

"He said 'if you really want my shirt, you can have it later.'

"It's true, I shot back with an insult.".............

The BBC's Ten O'Clock News also called in experts to study the television footage of the incident and determined the following:

Materazzi's first word to Zidane was "no" before he then told him to "calm down".

He then accused him of being a "liar" and wished "an ugly death to you and your family" on the day the Frenchman's mother had been taken to hospital ill. This was followed by "Go f*** yourself".

I did see Zidane smile as he initally turned (could be the 'arrogant' 'scoffing')

*shrug* Meh. We'll wait for the book.

Materazzi is lucky he got away with a headbutt. If he'd said that to me, he'd be playing football with Helmut Rahn and George Best right now.

That however does not make it right.



True. However, it would be nice if there was a way he could have punished the offending player legally.


My criticism is that Zizou could not rise above it. Sure it's not nice to call someone you don't know names but come on! Materazzi was looking for a reaction and that's what he got... The best way to have dealt with it would be to ignore it and if Zizou felt it was so bad/racist then he should inform Fifa of the comment. They are really trying to stamp out racism at the moment. This could have resulted in Fifa banning and fining Materazzi but that wouldn't be a problem for someone who earns stupid ammounts each week just for kicking a ball.

Yeah Zidane should be banned from playing again.
Perhaps deported and his bank accounts confiscated. And then placed under my supervision.

My criticism is that Zizou could not rise above it. Sure it's not nice to call someone you don't know names but come on!

Oh, I agree with that. Zidane deserved punishment -but so does the insulting [peep]. Especially if the claims that he purposefully wished Zidanes mother dead while she was just admitted into hospital have any accuracy.

If those allegations turn out to be true, should there be consequences? What do you think?

What *they* (because Zidane was talking too, and I would suspect not for praising Materazzi's elders) said, is a matter of speculation. Other "lip-reading" sources say Materazzi "mentioned" Zidane's sister (which is along, er, our national taste for insults). According to La Repubblica (those who can read Italian can find the column at http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/speciale/mondiali/servizi/zidane-domenech/polemiche/polemiche.html), this was the "decoding" of a team of experts of Globo TV (Bra).

In the end, I'm not that curious. It is clear that Materazzi insulted Zidane, and that Zidane hit Materazzi. It is also very likely that Zidane also insulted Materazzi, probably commenting the clinch just before. Whatever they may have said, insults are commonplace in football, and honestly no one is ever punished for that (unless he insulted his majesty the referee...).

Zidane has been the best player around for years. He also showed from time to time that he can lose his temper (the site of L'Equipe tells he got 14 red cards in his career). On Sunday, he did something stupid after playing a very good match. On the other side, few minutes were left, penalties were almost there, and Trezeguet was to kick one of the PK anyway.
Zidane should not be praised for his act, nor his career shoud be shadowed by this mistake. He did wrong, he was punished.

I would have headbutted someone if they were at you for 110 minutes with insults the referee pretends to not hear.

who cares - he's french, they suck

I'll just say that the headbutt tecnique was flawless. That must count for something. Materazzi is a central defender who plays in the italian legue, he has seen worst...

tag

I'll just say that the headbutt tecnique was flawless. That must count for something. Materazzi is a central defender who plays in the italian legue, he has seen worst...
It was a good head-butt ... shouldn't this be over on the "Things I don't understand" thread? The guy's retiring from the sport, it's the most-watched sporting event on the planet, I don't know what Materazzi said (I heard he called Zidane an "Arab terrorist") but I can think of a couple of better responses. He might have kissed him, that would have had people talking about it for the next nine days just as much as a head-butt, a nice big juicy kiss right on the lips. :p

It was a good head-butt ... shouldn't this be over on the "Things I don't understand" thread? The guy's retiring from the sport, it's the most-watched sporting event on the planet, I don't know what Materazzi said (I heard he called Zidane an "Arab terrorist") but I can think of a couple of better responses. He might have kissed him, that would have had people talking about it for the next nine days just as much as a head-butt, a nice big juicy kiss right on the lips. :p

There is something I cannot understand...

Zidane should had ended what he started...I mean, if you are going to destroy your reputation by dropping a guy with a headbutt, he should had continued then...Kicking his nuts in the ground, then giving him the finger, laughing his ass out of the ref and stealing his red card, and also raisig the cup on his way out after brawling with the entire italian squadra...

I guess Cantona is happy nevertheless. Zidane proved to be his fan

tag

There is something I cannot understand...

Zidane should had ended what he started...I mean, if you are going to destroy your reputation by dropping a guy with a headbutt, he should had continued then...Kicking his nuts in the ground, then giving him the finger, laughing his ass out of the ref and stealing his red card, and also raisig the cup on his way out after brawling with the entire italian squadra...

I would worship him if he'd done that! LMAO! :D

I would worship him if he'd done that! LMAO! :D

Exactly!, that's the point!

If you want us something to remember, then make a frigging show, the best show ever!

I mean, that headbutt is engraved in my memory, but Zidane stealing the cup on his way out, hiding it under his jersey while being chased by the german police to the dressing rooms would had been 1000 times better.

So putting Italy a goal down in the final was a good thing? Sending a man off against Austrilia and then keeping him suspended was a good thing? Five man suspenion was something Italy wanted? They could have got away with just three

That's exactly what they wanted, they knew they'd get their fixed win in the end.

Exactly!, that's the point!

If you want us something to remember, then make a frigging show, the best show ever!

I mean, that headbutt is engraved in my memory, but Zidane stealing the cup on his way out, hiding it under his jersey while being chased by the german police to the dressing rooms would had been 1000 times better.

And if the TV producers had played the theme from The Benny Hill Show (http://tv.cream.org/specialassignments/themes/bennyhill.mp3) while he was running from the cops -- even better still! :D

Me thinks he lost his temper, and wanted to make sure he was remembered. Bein sent off for headbutting someone in the WC final so hard he falls down (then again, it was an italian) sure made him go out with a bang... and a thud.

You shouldn't think. I would think his two goals against Brazil were enough to be remembered by or the fact he won the Golden Ball in the 2006 tournament.

Luis Figo barely taps someone with a headbutt and he falls, why do I fail to see any complaints about that fool diving and whining?

Sore loser.

The Germans and French were perhaps the biggest actors of them all, barring Portugal. The Germans and French flop all over the place. The French are a bunch of whiners, while the Germans combine flopping with dirty play. Those are their specialties.

The Italians is making the opposition look bad on offense and frustrate them so they do something stupid, because they lack the will to ignore the excellent Italian antics and skill.

The best the French could do was fall down in the penalty area, without being touched, and get their free goal. So who cheated, and who were the actors?

Greater Alemnia just goes to show how little he understands about the beautiful game, or he is just a sore loser sans the sore.

The Germans and French were perhaps the biggest actors of them all, barring Portugal. The Germans and French flop all over the place. The French are a bunch of whiners, while the Germans combine flopping with dirty play. Those are their specialties.

Were we watching the same WC? The closest Germany came to diving was went Ballack went down a bit easily in the box (vs Argentina, I think), and it turns out that he actually was elbowed in the face.

Greater Alemnia just goes to show how little he understands about the beautiful game, or he is just a sore loser sans the sore.

It hasn't been beautiful for a LOOOOONG time.

Yea, but Materazzi was saying he'd slept with Zidane's mother the night before she'd gone into hospital (she having gone in on the morning of the final), and you would imagine that her being fairly ill would have been playing on his mind in some way, with him being a very family person.

Well, if the L'Equipe guy is correct.
According to the BBC Radio Five Live, who got a lip reader in to read it out phonetically which was then translated, Materazzi said, "you're the son of a terrorist whore" .

BBC's Ten O'Clock News also called in some experts, and they concluded that Materazzi's first word to Zidane was "no" before he then told him to "calm down". He then accused him of being a "liar" and wished "an ugly death to you and your family" (remember, Zidane's mother had been taken to hospital that morning). This was followed by "Go fuck yourself".

Materazzi counted at a press conference by claiming, "I am ignorant, I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is; my only terrorist is her," he said pointing to his 10-month-old daughter.
(right. You've never heard of an Islamic terrorist. Where you been hiding the last 6 years? Love how he brought his daughter in to back up his claims - good photo op: loving father and all that)

Zidane (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm)

Still, all said and done, Zidane should have stayed focussed on the game. 10 minutes left and a shoot-out looming.
Surely he'd have been used to such taunts - he played in Italy for a few years, didn't he?

Or, if he was going to attack him, he should have made sure - given him a good Rooney-stomp to the nads. It's not like he has to worry about being banned from playing!

It is clear that Materazzi insulted Zidane, and that Zidane hit Materazzi. It is also very likely that Zidane also insulted Materazzi, probably commenting the clinch just before. Whatever they may have said, insults are commonplace in football, and honestly no one is ever punished for that (unless he insulted his majesty the referee...).
Not entirely true. FIFA has come down hard on racial insults the past few years, and considering the extremely high profile nature of this case, if it is ever proved that Materazzi said the things everyone's saying he did I'd be very surprised if FIFA didn't act and punish Materazzi in some way.

Ever since seeing Zidane's behaviour towards Materazzi during the match between Italy and France, I was wondering what could possibly have provoked it.

So, here's one explanation :



http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2833&art_id=qw1152604441937S163

If those allegations turn out to be true, should there be consequences? What do you think?
Yes there should be consequences. Zidane should be fined.

Not entirely true. FIFA has come down hard on racial insults the past few years, and considering the extremely high profile nature of this case, if it is ever proved that Materazzi said the things everyone's saying he did I'd be very surprised if FIFA didn't act and punish Materazzi in some way.

Yes, racial insults have been punished sometimes. But "everyone's saying"? Everyone's casting a different guess (mother, sister, terrorist, bitch...). Two people in the world really know what was said (by both sides, I insist). Zidane has kept still on the subject, and Materazzi said something vague we cannot of course accept blindly. Personally, I wouldn't worry a bit if Materazzi were suspended, but frankly I see no ground for that. I have the highest esteem for Zidane as a player, but I don't think we need some awesome explanation of his act: he simply lost his temper, and we have seen him losing it in the past.

I heard he called his mother an Algerian slut.

I don't Zizou should have reacted the way he did though.
Apparantly his mother is in the hospital or something...

If Materazzi had said the same to say Roy Keane (Irish), he'd be flat on the ground with broken neck or something. So a head-butt was mild but Zidane shouldn't have reacted.

Zidane is known for that temper and Materazzi knew what buttons to push.

Man, I think Zidane and Materazzi (sp?) should be commended, both of them. I mean, its the day after the game, and are we talking about the goals or passes or saves? No, we are talking about the headbutt (possibly because it was the most interesting thing to happen during the game). Its almost enough to make me want to watch soccer even when there isn't a world cup on.

Man, I think Zidane and Materazzi (sp?) should be commended, both of them. I mean, its the day after the game, and are we talking about the goals or passes or saves? No, we are talking about the headbutt (possibly because it was the most interesting thing to happen during the game). Its almost enough to make me want to watch soccer even when there isn't a world cup on.

Zidane should have knocked Materazzi out, then that would have helped France. :)

If Materazzi had said the same to say Roy Keane (Irish), he'd be flat on the ground with broken neck or something. So a head-butt was mild but Zidane shouldn't have reacted.

Zidane is known for that temper and Materazzi knew what buttons to push.

Puts a bit of a taint on the Final... a player on one team KNOWS he can get a player on the other team sent off with a Red Card, if he can push his buttons just right....

Not to say the result would have been any different with Zidane still on the field... but, as strategy play goes, it was hardly sportsmanlike.

Puts a bit of a taint on the Final... a player on one team KNOWS he can get a player on the other team sent off with a Red Card, if he can push his buttons just right....

Not to say the result would have been any different with Zidane still on the field... but, as strategy play goes, it was hardly sportsmanlike.

Materazzi would have known definitely, Zidane played in Italy and Italy would have known what can set him off. He's headbutted people before. Actually he headbutted someone in France 98 too ...

Trash talking is part of all professional sports (with the possible exception of snooker!). You do not want to hear what is said in an American football match. Reacting to insults with physical violence outside of the rules of the game is simply wrong.

Zidane has shamed himself, his team, and the sport. He should be heavily fined, and barred from any further professional involvement in the sport for a couple of years.

Materazzi was only doing what is normal and within the rules. No punishment is deserved for this, regardless of the insult. Zidane could prosecute him in the criminal courts if he wanted, but it is not up to FIFA to try to regulate what players say to each other.

Trash talking is part of all professional sports (with the possible exception of snooker!). You do not want to hear what is said in an American football match. Reacting to insults with physical violence outside of the rules of the game is simply wrong.

Zidane has shamed himself, his team, and the sport. He should be heavily fined, and barred from any further professional involvement in the sport for a couple of years.

Materazzi was only doing what is normal and within the rules. No punishment is deserved for this, regardless of the insult. Zidane could prosecute him in the criminal courts if he wanted, but it is not up to FIFA to try to regulate what players say to each other.

I think they should 'recall' the game.

Strike the previous game from the record, and replay the Final.

I think they should 'recall' the game.

Strike the previous game from the record, and replay the Final.

Let the Italians keep the World Cup, just make sure all corrupt Serie A teams get relegated and then the entire Italian league is trashed for the next 4 years. The next Italian team will then be made of Serie B players :p

That's exactly what they wanted, they knew they'd get their fixed win in the end.

They wanted a red card for five matches or to concede goals? They wanted thier players suspended? I'm pretty sure the Italian players would prefer not to have a card on their record

It hasn't been beautiful for a LOOOOONG time.

Watch Arsenal's 49 ers, this World Cup, Barca team, Arsenal's CL run (Villerial games aside).

Let the Italians keep the World Cup, just make sure all corrupt Serie A teams get relegated and then the entire Italian league is trashed for the next 4 years. The next Italian team will then be made of Serie B players :p

Could be. Perhaps we will finally see more of our players going abroad (those who did were not so bad, though, especially in England). Italy was the only major team in WC featuring only players of own league.

And if the TV producers had played the theme from The Benny Hill Show (http://tv.cream.org/specialassignments/themes/bennyhill.mp3) while he was running from the cops -- even better still! :D

PRICELESS! :D

PRICELESS! :D

Can't help it. Everytime I see a silly chase scene, that music runs through my head. :D

Matanazi said he wasn't condescending enough to be French!

nvm
messed up...

nvm
messed up...

Damn, quoted right after :P

I would go with the next to last option

I agree...Why the chest?

It's a new form of the heimlich maneuvre. He thought the poor fellow was choking on something.;)

Ol' Zizou. Fuckin' stupid decision.

Its one of the things that made this WC so much damn fun.

WHY DID ZINEDINE ZIDANE DO IT???

The world may never know.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=snibbe/060711

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=snibbe/060711

*snicker*

Just saw on TV, Materazzi being headbutted in another match by another player in a past game (maybe a Serie A game).

:)

he was butted by Andri Shevshenko inter v ac milan....
still what a way to finish your career , 5 game ban!!!! why fifa????? the man has retired...
any way answers on a postcard...
here is a bit of trivia for you
AC Milan was formed 1899 as a cricket team by Englishman Arthur Edwards...

he was butted by Andri Shevshenko inter v ac milan....
still what a way to finish your career , 5 game ban!!!! why fifa????? the man has retired...
any way answers on a postcard...
here is a bit of trivia for you
AC Milan was formed 1899 as a cricket team by Englishman Arthur Edwards...

Thanks, AC Milan a cricket team ... cool (OK, not these days).
People should headbutt him more often. :p

AC Milan ( Athletic and Cricket club Milan) formed in 1899 by Arthur Edwards one of many teams given an italian makeover by Mussolini in the 1930's inter , lazio and Juventus are 3 examples other examples

The Founders


The AC Milan football club was estabilished on the 16th of December 1899, its parents being three Englishman, Kilpin, Allison and Davies. They came to the idea when they were at a pint of beer, and they proposed it to two bussinesmen, Edwards and Nathan, and to another person, Mr. Barnett. Edwards was to become the first club president ever of the new Milan Cricket and Football Club.

The club aimed to play cricket as much as they could and to promote the game of football, not so popular in those times. In the first board of directors was also Pierro Pirelli, one of the future presidents of the club and also one of its most important historical figures. The establishment of the club spread into the city and Milan started to gain more and more supporters.

The new club registered with the IFF (Italian Football Federation) and, to take part in the championship, they needed a pitch for the home matches. The site was found: the place of today's central station, Trotter. There was an open countryside field at that time there.

The opening match was played against another team from Milan named Mediolanum. The game was played on the 11th of March 1900 and Milan started its history with a great 3-0 win. The first team who played for AC Milan was: Hoode, Cignaghi, Torretta, Lees, Kilpin, Valerio, Dubini, Davies, Neville, Allison, Formenti. You can see here that three of them were the club establishers , Kilpin, Allison and Davies. Although the 3-0 win was a good score for their morale, the Devils first official match, who was played on 15 April 1900 against FC Torino, was lost with 3-0.

The first captain in AC Milan's history was Herbert Kilpin, one of the founders and through the club's best players. In the early Milan days you needed to be a member of the club. The fees were 20 lira and 12 lira for the students. The punishment for the players who had forgotten to pay was the interdiction to train. The first title for AC Milan was won in their second year of activity, 1901.

A certain Marco Materazzi plays for Inter Milan (which schismed off from AC Milan) as defender.

he was butted by Andri Shevshenko inter v ac milan....
still what a way to finish your career , 5 game ban!!!! why fifa????? the man has retired...
any way answers on a postcard...
here is a bit of trivia for you
AC Milan was formed 1899 as a cricket team by Englishman Arthur Edwards...
:D

I'm thinking Zinedine Zidane might come out of retirement and play at least one more year (he could do it), if not two so he could retire "with honour" at Euro 2008 (he'd be 36 then). That's what I'd do. Then again, he's got millions so I don't know if he cares that much to do it.

Although, you know what- Zidane's headbutt made him a household name throughout the world, even here- I mean, Conan O'Brien is making jokes about him (who was your sports role model? Zidane: a billy goat). From a marketing standpoint, it was brilliant.

Then why did Italy have a man suspended for five games? Three players sent off overall, one against Austrilia that was no way a red card but the players got suspended anyway

Ok those saying Italy guy deserved it: the accounts do not add up, people ar ejust trying to pull Zindane's name out of the mud. As for what the ref should have done, he didn't hear anything and was right to send off Zidane

That guy being Marco Materazzi- and for one that was not worthy of a red- it should have been yellow.

Slightly different story from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5168126.stm


I did see Zidane smile as he initally turned (could be the 'arrogant' 'scoffing')

*shrug* Meh. We'll wait for the book.

I thought those two were laughing and joking together- the headbutt seemed "out of the blue". Maybe it was one of those frat party jab sessions that just went too far.

ook: Henry had just been taken off with just a few minutes to go.

I think Davide Trezeguet was put on for psychological purposes- he scored against Italy to cap a 2-1 come-from-behind win in Euro 2000. Fittingly, he was the guy who missed to give Italy the win. Justice is served. :D

zinedine zidane funnies: :D

http://blogs.smh.com.au/mashup/archives//005184.html

zinedine zidane funnies: :D

http://blogs.smh.com.au/mashup/archives//005184.html

I like the "Lanzar El Italiano A" game (I believe it translates to "Launch an Italian")- my record so far is 94.9 (new record).

Discuss.

*Headbutts everybody who replied in the thread.*

Didn't this stupid ass once get red carded for kicking another guy in the nuts?

Stupid ass got himself tossed because he couldn't control his temper.

Way to support the team!

Didn't this stupid ass once get red carded for kicking another guy in the nuts?

Yes- Saudi Arabia captain Fuad Amin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuad_Amin), apparently because Amin questioned Zidane's Berber roots (he is descended from Algeria).