Dude said:What's making me sick during all this are all the Italians coming to the defense of Matterazzi. Nobody is excusing Zidane for the foul, but it seems every time I log on here, or listen to the radio, there is yet another Italian supporter fumbling his way through another excuse. I can't agree w/ KNVB more: you got your win, now be humble, and show some class.
Yeah, we've all been on the pitch, and a lot gets said. But, how can anyone, especially another ethnic minority, justify crossing the line the way Matterazzi is reported to have done? He's in the papers now saying how Zidane looked at him arrogantly and offered his shirt after the match, if he really wanted it that bad. That is well below the radar of acceptable banter on the field. Really, no big deal.
But, if Matterazzi at some point did call Zidane the "Dirty son of an Algerian Terrorist", or something along those lines, well, that, in these days and times, is called long-jumping over the line of acceptable banter. A few years back, about 3 months past the 911 bombings, we had an opponent who called out to one of my players, who was dark skinned, and had the appearance of being Arabian, "Watch out for #10 or he'll fly a plane into your house." My player's parents were on the sideline, and heard the whole thing. His dad is a white Italian, his mum a black Zimbabwean. Rick showed amazing restraint to diffuse what was about to become a full out brawl. Had his parents not been in attendance, I can almost guarantee he'd have lost it. Just because racism exists doesn't mean that it should be practiced.
Should Zidane have snapped? No. In his shoes, would I have not snapped? I can lie and say I would have shown restraint, but honestly I can't say I would. And, any of you out there known for your intensity on the pitch would be lying if you claimed you can guarantee that you wouldn't react the same way in the face of a racial slur. The human element of the game will always exist, and so will the lower quality a person like Matterazzi who will chose to take advantage of it, and expose it.
And, as far as the snappage goes, let's be honest here...it was ugly on TV mostly because it involved a head butt. That said, it wasn't really a dangerous head butt (had it been to the nose, could have been very, very bad). There was no injury, just an awkward stumble. It's the timing of the incident, and the appearance, that will cause this incident to follow Zidane around for the rest of his life. If it had been a nasty tackle from behind w/ a red, would he be getting the same attention? Probably not as much, even though often the injuries from tackles from behind are legitimate, and often severe. The result would have been the same: red card, and France losing their biggest threat to finish it off in the final 3 minutes, and a sure goal in PKs. There certainly wouldn't be an impromptu video game made of the incident the day after, because nasty tackles are common place. As far as blatant assaults go, we've all seen a lot worse, even in this WC.
Now, I heard one guy say, too, that when he was watching the game, and saw the incident, that he inwardly cheered and said to himself, "Good, now go out and do that to the other 10 cheating cnuts." The Italians don't endear themselves to the rest of the world's fans because of the play acting. That's the difference between a player like Zidane, and Matterazzi: Zidane endears himself to fans of the game for his style, skill, intensity, and leadership. Although his moment of idiocy will plague him forever, Matterazzi will be linked to him, and known as a cowardly racist. Yeah, he may have a World Cup under his belt, but is it worth it?
I'll bite.
I completeley disagree. Calling one of the best players of all time a terrorist during a soccer game is crossing the line?
Zidane lost it. HE IS NOT THE VICTIM. Materazzi is. Period.So what if Materrazzi called him names for 90 minutes...or that he may be known to take a dive, or whatever your reasoning is.
Just because a girl is a slut, doesnt mean she deserves to get raped.
Besides, you are basing your thoughts on something that was not confirmed. All materazzi said was that he insulted Zidane, and he also re-confirmed that he in no way called him a terrorist. I am sure Maradonna and Pele were called names too, very racist names...and I dont recall their legacy ending in disgrace like Zidane.
Stop blaimng the i-ties for Zidanes snappage.
I like your thoughts regarding the head butt. Zidane knows better that to head butt a Sicilian. He would have knocked himself out.