Zidane Apparently Called "Dirty Terrorist" (World Cup)

[VolcanoJen]

Zidane apparently called 'dirty terrorist' - SABC News

France captain Zinedine Zidane was apparently called a "dirty terrorist" by Marco Materazzi before he head-butted the Italy defender in yesterday's World Cup final, the anti-racism group SOS Racism, said today.

"According to several very well informed sources from the world of football, it would seem that the Italian player Marco Materazzi called Zinedine Zidane a 'dirty terrorist'," SOS Racism said in a statement. Zidane, the son of Algerian immigrants, was shown a red card after the incident and Italy went on to win on penalties after the match was tied 1-1 following extra time.

The Paris-based group called for an inquiry and said world soccer's governing body FIFA had recently toughened sanctions against racism. "It's for this reason that SOS Racism asks in a determined fashion for FIFA to shed light on this altercation and that sanctions laid out in the official rules be applied should this be the case.

Neither Zidane nor Materazzi have spoken in public about what had passed between them before the incident. French television reported that Zidane would talk about the incident "in the coming days".

[K8-EEE]

1. He Should Have Channeled That Rage A Different Direction!!

Man did he ever blow it -- somebody calls you a name and you go and disgrace yourself over it, great. He behaved badly no matter what anybody called him, that seems like a bullshit excuse to me.

[VolcanoJen]

2. And still, he won the Golden Ball for Best Player of World Cup '06

I'm a huge Zizou fan, and I was shocked and incredibly saddened that he left the sport in such a horrible manner. No matter what was said to him, his behavior cannot be excused.

I'm sure we'll hear more about what was exactly was said to him and why he reacted so awfully in the coming days... with all of football's talk of an anti-racism crusade, though, this is a sad development indeed.

[Biernuts]

111. because they voted before the incident n/t

[xzyra]

3. agree.

And I'm sure he's heard worse than that out there - he's played for years.

[manic expression]

33. He's also been known to do stuff like this

he headbutted someone during a Champions' League match and got a straight red card in the '98 World Cup as well.

[noops]

73. What?

I am sure that if you were the son of two Algerian immigrants, and you lived in the slums of Paris as a youth you would probably get pretty pissed off when someone insults your heritage. That's just me though.

[The Wielding Truth]

101. That's adult sports,noops. He snapped and could have killed with his

actions. It is inexcusable in any sport to lose yourself to commit yourself to such a despicable retaliation. It is the worst example of sportsmanship. Zidane has disgraced his team, country, and the World Cup.

[gratuitous]

4. A very old trick

Call someone a name, goad him into losing his cool, then smile and wave when the referee tosses him out of the game. It doesn't matter what happens to Materazzi now; he'll always have the World Cup trophy, and Zidane will leave the sport with that head butt as his last official play in competitive soccer. Very sad all around that the final match should be smeared like this.

[LibertyLover]

5. We watched the game and, as I said to my husband

- I didn't doubt for a minute that whatever Materazzi said to Zidane was outrageous, nasty, inflamatory and intended to provoke a reaction, but even so, Zidane just didn't handle himself well. If this report is correct about what was said, I wish that Zidane had held onto his temper and continued to play for France, perhaps even leading the team to a win over Italy.

[sleipnir]

7. Zindane has been given 14 Red Cards in Career. He has little control.

He's consistently being thrown off the pitch for flagrant fouls and a complete lack of judgment. It's no surprise to me that Materazzi got his goat, as it's easy for the picking.

This event goes down with the Maradonna "Hand of God" for the most wild event ever in World Cup Play.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Is that a lot of red cards?

Like most Americans, I don't know a lot about soccer.

[sleipnir]

14. Yes, most players amass perhaps 3-5 red cards in a similar career

14 is a VERY high number.

It indicates a lack of control during high stress moments on the field.

Zindane's "condition" is well known throughout the soccer world and certainly the Italians were aware and it would not surprise me to find out they did try to goad him into a foul.

[The Stranger]

40. Materazzi was sent off, suspended with a red card in the same tournament.

[MadHound]

11. You are correct,

Despite his talent, Zidane has a huge temper that isn't controlled well. He's stomped on the back of a Saudi Arabian player, and head butted at least one other player during his career.

I also noticed that he was starting to lose it after Buffon made a miracle block on a Zidane header that should have gone in. He was yelling and screaming, I'm not sure who at. But it was obvious that Zidane was starting to melt down even then. Materrazzi probably picked up on this loss of control, and decided to push it with Zidane, and was successful.

I don't care what was said, what was done, the fault for this incident lies completely with Zidane. He should have just kept jogging on up the field instead of getting his ass kicked out of the game when his team truly needed him. Zidane made a stupid mistake, one he'll have to pay for. A pity that the rest of his team has to pay along with him.

[VolcanoJen]

6. FWIW, Matterazzi denies the accusation

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/worldcup/2006/sport_sto923586.shtml

Materazzi denied the accusations. "It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means," he said as the victorious Italy team returned to Rome on Monday.

I'm sure everyone's clammoring for the first Zidane interview and the truth will really come out.

Just a sad way to end a fantastic World Cup, all around.

[The Stranger]

18. No, he claims he "di[dn't] know what the word means."

Not very convincing, to say the least.

[Twillig]

28. The Sammy Sosa defense. n/t

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

42. Yet another bad translation

When Italians say "I Don't Know What It Means" it does not mean that they do not know the word. It's more like saying "that's not me, I would never say that."

FWIW, Italian newspapers are reporting that he said none of that to Zidane.

Disclosure: I am Italian

[against all enemies]

43. He denies he even knows what the word "terrorist" means.

Gee the team filled with players from teams that have fixed games wins. Wonder how that happened?

[rep the dems]

8. If that's true then it was a pretty dumb thing to say

but never the less I'm glad Italy won.

[MrPrax]

10. No Shame at all...

Zidane finally stood up for someting that is FAR FAR more important than a fucking soccer game...

While hundreds of thousands of people celebrated on the Champs-Elysées following France's stunning turn-around, not everyone was feeling the joy. Proud racist and leader of the ultra-right wing National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen, could not resist defiling the moment. Le Pen decried France's multi-ethnic team as unrepresentative of French society, saying that France "cannot recognize itself in the national side," and "maybe the coach exaggerated the proportion of players of color and should have been a bit more careful."

Le Pen and others of his ilk do not recognize themselves in a team whose leader is of Algerian descent--Zinedine Zidane--and whose most feared striker is black--Thierry Henry. Le Pen used to torture Algerians for the French military in the 1950s and it turns his stomach that his team reflects France's (and Europe's) colonial past, with players from Cameroon, Guadalupe, Senegal, Congo, Algeria, and Benin among other countries.

Le Pen's efforts to use the pitch as a battleground for his Neanderthal views about immigration and Islam have not gone unanswered. After his latest comments, France midfielder Lilian Thuram said, "Clearly, he is unaware that there are Frenchmen who are black, Frenchmen who are white, Frenchmen who are brown. I think that reflects particularly badly on a man who has aspirations to be president of France but yet clearly doesn't know anything about French history or society.... That's pretty serious. He's the type of person who'd turn on the television and see the American basketball team and wonder: 'Hold on, there are black people playing for America? What's going on?'"
CP

Why the fuck would anyone want to make a buck for racists? Why the hell would ANYONE in a team sport even play if your team members are being pelted by bananas and called monkey by thousands of fans. I guess FIFA is only interested that the most disgusting aspects of this racism didn't get too out of control in Germany with the world watching...

World Cup Guide Highlights Germany's Racist Hotspots

A guide to potential racial hot spots in Germany will go live on the Internet and be published in brochure form in time to warn visitors to the World Cup of areas known for far-right extremism.

The "No-Go" guide, compiled by the Africa Council, an umbrella organization of African community groups and activists in Germany, focuses particularly on areas of Berlin and eastern cities like Leipzig and Dresden where neo-Nazi groups and far-right extremists are known to be based.

The guide, which warns visitors that they could be the victims of racist attacks if they stray into extremist territory, comes at a time of particular sensitivity in Germany. A German national of Ethiopian descent continues to fight for his life after suffering multiple skull fractures and brain trauma in what is suspected of having been a racially motivated attack in Potsdam on Easter Sunday.

The attack on Ermyas Mulugeta prompted nationwide demonstrations with thousands of Germans calling for politicians to take urgent action. It is thought that the African Council's decision to publish the guide was based on concerns over the safety of "non-white" supporters during the World Cup arising from the attack.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1991934,00.html|Deutstch Welle]

What the hell kinda of world event is this? Why the hell would any world body in sport even award these games to Germany? Why the hell were the Spanish or even Italians allowed to take the field?

Good for you, Zizou...

[FredScuttle]

29. Except no one but Zindane and the Italian player know what was said

Would you still feel this vehemently if Materazzi told Zizou his mother wears combat boots?

Jeesh.

[Minstrel Boy]

34. goddamn right

Yesterday I was all "Pourquoi, Zizou?" But after I learned of the provocation I have to say Zidane never stood taller than with his head in Materazzi's chest. Seriously.

[Kellanved]

44. Why?

Because the event made the nazis shut up. It was used to drag the problems into the open, adressing the problem. Is it better to keep such things covered and hidden? Leaving them to fester forever?

And because a few idiots have no business spoiling the fun for the vast majority. Why are we having world cups anyway? By your, standard I doubt that there's a single country on earth fit to host the thing.

[sui generis]

12. according to "several"????

gosh I missed the part where they were all sitting out there having tea and crumpetts discussing crocheted doily patterns.

Ze boosheet ees veray strong in 'ere today. Ze damn dirty little frenchman give ze head butt and now he say he the victims?

Harrumph.

'oly sheet.

[Name removed]

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[sui generis]

17. really?

why do you say that?

[Name removed]

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[Squatch]

36. Damn...this thread was gutted, but good!

[Name removed]

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[KamaAina]

13. You heard it here first...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5350928&mesg_id=5350928

...Freedomland were far the better side through most of the second half and extra time, right up until The Headbutt. (What did Matarazzi say? Did he call Zidane a faggot? A dirty raghead terrorist? Or (gasp) a baldy? )

Ironically, it is Zidane's France teammate Thierry Henry who has been spearheading efforts to rid the sport of racism; this began after Henry, who is of Caribbean descent, was subjected to hideous "monkey chants" at a match in Spain.

[VolcanoJen]

15. That's one of the reasons Henry is a hero to me

I've always been shocked at the way the French players, especially, are treated when they play in Spain and Italy. Spanish fans have chucked peanuts and bananas at Henry, and have turned out with racist banners, chants and songs.

I was so thrilled when Les Bleus beat the Spanish team. :-)

[burythehatchet]

59. The Spaniards and Portugese are the soccer thugs

I have always liked the Italians (Roberto Baggio was an old favorite), but Materazzi is a douchebag.

[ugarte]

21. To be fair, French black players even get racist treatment in France

from opposing teams' fans.

[kurth]

26. WP article on racism among European soccer fans:

Fans' Racist Taunts Rattle European Soccer
Governing Federations Debate New Rules, Sanctions to Curb Abusive Behavior in Stands
By Keith B. Richburg
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, December 13, 2004; Page A12

PARIS -- Europe's soccer stadiums, long known for boisterous, drunken fans and hooligans, have lately become fertile ground for a continent-wide problem: racism. Among recent incidents across the continent: In Spain on Nov. 17, during a friendly match between Spain and England, two black players for the English team were subjected to monkey noises and racist slogans chanted by thousands of fans in the 55,000-seat stadium. Also in Spain, on Nov. 23, a Champions League match between Real Madrid and visiting Bayer Leverkusen was disrupted by fans at Madrid's Bernabeu stadium who gave Nazi salutes and made monkey noises whenever Leverkusen's black player, Roque Junior of Brazil, had the ball...

In Italy, Lazio -- already fined for racist incidents -- was sanctioned by the UEFA on Friday after Pierre Boya, a Cameroonian player for Partizan Belgrade, was subjected to a torrent of monkey noises and grunts from Lazio fans in the stands whenever he had the ball. Belgrade's other black players also came in for abuse from Lazio fans making monkey noises during the Nov. 25 match in Rome. Lazio was ordered by the UEFA to play its next European home match in an empty arena...

In professional soccer, about 30 percent of the top-level players in England are black, with the figure slightly less for the rest of Europe. By contrast, there are only a handful of black coaches, referees and front-office staff members, and across Europe, very few black fans are season ticket holders. While Europe is increasingly black and Arab, most fans at stadiums are working-class whites.

"It is fair to say -- and Italy is probably the best place to illustrate this -- the demographics of football fans is still largely working class," Green said. "The lower working class, even though they make up a smaller percentage of the base, make up for well over half to two-thirds of the violent incidents."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59919-2004Dec12.html

[BlueManDude]

27. A Brazilan friend of mine has for years referred to Zidane as "The Arab"

Sour grapes for the 98 French win over Brazil but also hinting at the racism that happens everywhere.

[fedsron2us]

30. Sadly, Zidane succumbed to the red mist too often in his career.

as when he got sent off for stamping on a Saudi Arabian player for no apparent reason in the 1998 World Cup. One assumes that anti Arab comments were not the cause of the outburst on that occasion. It is a shame because he was the greatest footballer of his generation. I suppose it is a bit naive to expect genius and temperament always to walk hand in hand.

[VolcanoJen]

31. He remains the greatest footballer of his generation.

He'll be remembered not only for that head butt. His career may seem like it ended in infamy now, but it won't seem that way forever.

Zizou!!

[kurth]

32. Just a lousy end to a great career

France has already forgiven him. He'll always be remembered as a giant.

[zara]

35. So sad to see him leave the game when his team still needed him.

What a great player. What a lapse. Even if the Italian was dirty tactics. There had to be a better way.
I saw a website that said this Italian player had reputation as dirtiest player in Italy. Nowhere near Zidane's skill. But he outplayed Zidane in the last 10 minutes and during the shootout. : (

[brentspeak]

37. If Materazzi is Italy's dirtiest player

then that would quite an accomplishment.

[BlueInPhilly]

38. No one to blame but Zidane

Doesn't matter what was said, who said it, whatever. There was a game going on, the Copa Mundial, for Pete's sake, and you headbutt the opponent? Stupid, stupid mistake. So you're called names, that's fine. Imagine Manning losing his cool and headbutting a fan because he was called names! Or McNabb headbutting Rush Limbaugh?

Racism exists, but by getting provoked, you are only hurting yourself.

[alcibiades_mystery]

46. Or Stackhouse committing a flagrant foul during a crucial NBA finals game

Oh, wait....

;-)

[judaspriestess]

49. not EVEN on the same level n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

50. uh huh

...

[judaspriestess]

115. I was referring to the NBA not being on the same level

now I get what you are saying. funny

You just don't know with the non-soccer fans and if you are one of them

[zonkers]

39. Though totally unsportsmanlike, that was one awesome head butt.

Still, not the way you want to go out. Plus I'm sure we can count on hundreds of kids copycatting that act.

[KamaAina]

47. Yes, I hear he has a big, fat contract waiting in the WWE.

:P

That was my first thought when I saw it: "What a perfect WWE move!"

[Endangered Specie]

41. who are these "well informed sources"?

not one ounce of sympathy for zidane from me either way

[Divernan]

45. Brazil station had lipreader translate Materazzi's comment.

Talking to one of my soccer fanatic adult kids today (she was in Germany for two weeks worth of the games), she said rumors are flying about what Materazzi said, and that a Brazilian station (I didn't ask her if it was radio and/or TV) hired a lip reader to view a tape of the incident and translate. The lip reader said the comment was: "Your sister is a whore and you are her pimp." Don't know whether that will turn out to be correct or not. It is not unusual for soccer players to try to upset each other with comments about wives or female relatives. Depending upon ethnic/cultural/ religious background, some players get more upset than others. Being Algerian, Zidane would find the comments very offensive and grossly obscene, and it would explain why he is waiting to repeat them - it would be hard for him to say them at all, and further dishonor his sister. On the other hand, if it was some comment about being a "dirty terrorist", I think Zidane would have been more comfortable quoting Materazzi.

My daughter also mentioned Zidane's well-known temper and that most of his record 14 red cards were straight red cards for violent behavior, rather than red cards resulting from a series of yellow cards for lesser fouls. She was sorry to see him lose control, but had some sympathy for him in that he is very old to be playing at this ultimate level and that he has been carrying the whole French team. She also referred to the "red mist" which an earlier poster referred to. She said sometimes the players get so involved in the competition that the red mist takes over and they
lose their temper and self-control completely. She also pointed out how brutally exhausting the match was for both teams, going into overtime as it did.

[judaspriestess]

48. Being associated with terrorist who have caused this world

thousands of lives would piss me off a little too. I can handle being called just about anything but a terrorist, especially because of my parents. thats bullshit

thats why FIFA had a say no to racism day, for this exact reason.

[greccogirl]

51. It was still

a stupid thing for Zidane to do............

[alcibiades_mystery]

52. A thoroughly undisputed point

...

[HuckleB]

53. Why is this LBN?

This is tabloid crap. Rumors have no place on LBN.

[allemand]

54. "Son of a terrorist whore”, that's what he called Zidane, according to the

Times:

"... The Times enlisted the help of an expert lip reader, Jessica Rees, to determine the precise nature of the dialogue that caused Zidane to react in such a manner.

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, supporting the natural assumption that the Frenchman must have been grievously insulted."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28749-2263995,00.html

Bravo Materazzi! A great way to win the World Cup. :eyes:

[burythehatchet]

58. History will vindicate Zidane and condemn Materazzi

In any event, this episode will be remembered for many generations and will add another dimension of complexity to the Franco-Italian matches in the future.

[Catherine Vincent]

71. I should have known the guy said something about his mother.

That does it everytime.

[TheLastMohican]

55. Materazzi is one of the dirtiest players in world football

Here is the video

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

The guy is just a disgrace to the game. He openly goes for injury of the opposition player.

[burythehatchet]

57. Great vid link. Thanks n/t

[politick]

64. Yep

He's a dirty mother.

Of course there's no excuse, etc., but the guy's human. He madea mistake. I'm sure he feels like a total idiot and he feels worse about it than any of us. He was being abused all game long, he was frustrated his last header didn't go in, and the last thing he wanted to hear was guff from some little puke like Mazeratti. Not excusing, but, geesh, he's just human.

[noops]

74. Yeah

Materazzi reminds me of a guy I played against in frisbee once. He would hold you back and tackle you while going for passes and tried to say it was all clean.

Then I "accidently" ran right into while going for a pass and knocked him on his ass, needless to say he never played dirty against my team.

[burythehatchet]

56. I feel bad for the French team

I feel bad for Zidane
I support Zidane 100%
I have no doubt that Materazzi said what is claimed he said
Materazzi is a damned scumbag
I hope Zinade broek a couple of his ribs
If I had been in Zidane's shoes I would have done much worse.

[alcibiades_mystery]

61. There is no excuse

That is what people keep saying.

But I'm not so sure that's necessarily the case. :shrug:

[Balbus]

62. Zidane is a moronic thug.

And to 90% of the world, this head-butt is all they're going to know about his career - as they should. Karma is cool!

[burythehatchet]

65. Proud member of the 10% who will know him as one of the

greatest ever. Karma is WAY cool.

[noops]

75. X2

Proud member of the 10% who will know him as one of the greatest ever.

[Balbus]

108. A lot of people have pieces of shit as heroes.

And no doubt about it - Zidane is a piece of shit.

[burythehatchet]

113. It's true

you run into all kinds of turds...you just have to laugh and move on to an intelligent life form.

[alcibiades_mystery]

76. Laughable

90% of the world already knows Zidane as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Maybe 10% of the world (a number of Americans) will only know him for the headbutt, but his reputation has already been sealed with most. You got it well and truly bass ackwards.

[Balbus]

109. No, the world knows Zidane as a piece of shit

that cost his team the world cup. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[burythehatchet]

112. Who the

fuck is this "world" you keep talking about? You and who else?

[noops]

127. Where in the world?

Being French I know that 99.9 percent of France has a love affair with Zidane. I think you are forgetting that he WON France the World Cup in 98.

But then again you MUST be right, I mean the other part of the "world" only voted him as the best player in the World Cup, even though Ronaldo broke the all time World Cup scoring record with 13 goals (cumulative). Who am I to speak on behalf of the world though?

[noops]

79. Bass Ackwards...

As said above. Zidane got the Golden Ball award for a reason.

[brentspeak]

60. As scummy a player as Materazzi is, he's allowed to say whatever he wants

to another player on the field. The Paris anti-racism group has about as much right to be involved in the affairs of a World Cup match than the International Shuffleboard Association has to be involved in the affairs of the American Chemical Society.

[ozone_man]

63. Not according to FIFA's antiracist policy.

UN, EU, German government and FIFA, united in the fight against racism

Zurich, 28 March 2006 - Representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, the German government, FIFPro, FARE, the 2006 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee Germany and FIFA met today, 28 March 2006, in Zurich to analyse the recent measures adopted by FIFA in the fight against racism and discrimination in football and to examine the activities planned in this regard during the FIFA World Cup™ in Germany this summer.

"Racism has, for far too long, been damaging the beautiful game we love. We have always adopted a firm stance against this plague, and recently the FIFA Executive Committee approved an amendment to the FIFA Disciplinary Code to impose stricter sanctions, including suspensions, point deductions and disqualification, to punish racist incidents. Now that we have the instruments, together, the football family can work to combat racism and discrimination," stated the FIFA President, who opened the meeting.

"The initiatives adopted by the European Parliament and FIFA are crucial steps in the elimination of racism not only in football, but in European society in general. Football's popularity offers a unique opportunity to tackle racism and discrimination in all its forms", underlined Emine Bozkurt, a member of the European Parliament.

The participants in the meeting acknowledged the strict sanctions against racism and any form of discrimination approved by the FIFA Executive Committee as well as the European Parliament Declaration on tackling racism in football, and expressed their belief that they would contribute to eradicating racism from football once and for all.

http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,116206,00.html

If this policy has any substance, then there should be a suspension for it, or possibly worse if the Italian coach targeted Zidane with this hatchet man.

[brentspeak]

66. That has to do with fan behavior, not on-the-field comments b/t players

[The Stranger]

68. If it can apply to the fans, then it would apply even moreso to players,

who are subject to fines, suspensions, and who are vested members in the organization -- not just someone who shows up to watch a match on a given Sunday.

Treat all players and everyone else equally, regardless of their religion, race, sex or national origin.

FIFA Code of Conduct

The Extraordinary Congress, following the declaration against racism adopted by the FIFA Executive Committee in March 2000, and following the FIFA Conference Against Racism in Football held in Buenos Aires on 6 July 2001, requires all persons involved directly or indirectly with the sport of football at all levels and in all countries to join a concerted action to exchange information and experiences in order to combat effectively and conclusively all manifestations of racism within the game, by denouncing and sanctioning all persons indulging in racism in any form.

FIFA FIFA EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS BUENOS AIRES 7 JULY 2001 RESOLUTION

[ozone_man]

69. "suspensions, point deductions and disqualification, to punish racist

incidents" is directed at fans? How does that work?

[brentspeak]

72. If a team's fans do the "monkey chant" or throw peanuts

at black players, for instance (a common phenomonon during soccer games in Italy and Spain), the home team will get penalized. It's sort of like American football, where home teams are sometimes assessed an extra down or lost yards if the crowd tries to drown out the audibles of the visiting team.

[jpgray]

78. That's a stretch

So they just at random pick a player to suspend for the actions of the audience? Do you have any idea what you're talking about, or are you just trying to save some face at this point?

[brentspeak]

91. Yes, I do have an idea what I'm talking about

But apparently you don't:

This from the Independent on Fifa's attempt to boot racism out of football for good.

The prospect of a club being relegated because of racist behaviour by their supporters, or a country being disqualified from the World Cup for failing to deal with the issue, became a shock reality last night as Fifa reversed years of leniency towards racism.

Stirred, perhaps, by a call to arms from Lilian Thuram, the French international, or maybe by a growing realisation that strict measures were required to eradicate a reviving scourge, the world governing body introduced a range of Draconian punishments. Adopting a proposal by Sepp Blatter, the president, the executive committee decreed that racist behaviour by supporters will be punishable, in the first offence, by a three-point deduction, in the second, by a six-point subtraction, and a third by relegation.

http://www.redissue.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=272916

[ozone_man]

93. Your original assertion was incorrect.

The rules against racism are not just directed toward fans, but to players, coaches, officials, and spectators.

28th June 2006

FIFA will severely punish racists

Countries that fail to stamp out racism at football matches could be suspended by world soccer's governing body, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday.

Tougher sanctions against racism and discrimination, including the docking of points, were adopted at FIFA's annual Congress before the World Cup started and Blatter confirmed that FIFA would not shy away from applying the ultimate sanction if the case warranted it.

"By a change of the statutes, FIFA has not only the power but the obligation," said Blatter during a news conference.

"If they are not doing what is expected then FIFA must intervene," he added.

FIFA changed its statutes to introduce tougher regulations earlier this month to battle racism amid coaches, players and officials as well as spectators.

http://www.srtrc.org/news/2006/june/28_06_06_fifa_punishing.html

[brentspeak]

95. No, it wasn't

I responded to your posting of this link:

http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,116206,00.html

which you said concerned players' acts of racism. But the March amendment discussed in that link only dealt with repercussions due to a team's fan behavior, so that's what I said.

The June FIFA amendment change that you just now linked to was a separate amendment.

[ozone_man]

103. And you now agree that it includes players and coaches.

Not just the fans. Right? Afterall, what good would it be to require one standard of behavior from fans, while allowing players and coaches to continue being completely racist. The best examples have to come from the players. If it is OK for players to behave with racist attitudes, or play dirty soccer like Materazzi, then that sets an example for the world to follow.

Also, do you want to change this original statement of yours any?

"As scummy a player as Materazzi is, he's allowed to say whatever he wants"

[ozone_man]

80. As written, it seems more directed at team play.

"suspensions, point deductions and disqualification, to punish racist incidents ".

But I guess it can apply to fans as well.

In other FIFA press releases, the context that racism is mention is along with corruption, doping, and betting, which are not fan issues, rather they are team or organization issues. Racism takes many forms, and player racism should be a much more serious offence. So, unless you can justify your remark that it only applies to fan based racism, I have to disagree. There is no mention that it is specific to fan behavior.

All 207 associations in attendance - FIFA announces new vision

.

In his speech, IOC President Rogge praised FIFA's position: "Football is the most universal and popular sport in the world, and FIFA has a wonderful role in the world of sport." Rogge also praised FIFA for its exemplary efforts with regard to ethics and transparency, as well as in the fight against corruption, manipulation, racism and doping.

http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,118112,00.html

[The Stranger]

67. This post just eviscerated every post on the thread attacking Zidane.

If it is a violation of FIFA policy to make racist comments, then Zidane isn't simply required to accept it and be a victim.

His only mistake was not speaking up loudly and honestly about Matterazzi's racist statements.

[ozone_man]

70. That was a mistake.

But a human one. People have breaking points, especially when insulted like this. If it's true, then it needs to be dealt with in a serious way. Otherwise it makes a mockery of FIFA's antiracism policy.

[muriel_volestrangler]

90. No, his mistake was to assault another player

You can have laws against racist language, but that doesn't mean the target can then physically attack the culprit. Yes, Zidane is required to accept it, in terms of what happens during the match. No referee is going to pay any attention to a player claiming he was racially insulted by another.

[The Stranger]

92. Keep apologizing -- instead of condemning racism and bigotry, . . .

. . . and see what happens?

July 11, 2006

Racial Incidents Mar Italy’s Cup Celebration

By PETER KIEFER
ROME, July 11 — Swastikas spray painted in Rome’s ancient Jewish ghetto sullied Italy’s joy after its World Cup victory on Sunday, as did racial comments made by a former government minister about the French team.

Italy’s interior minister, Giuliano Amato, said today that a number of swastikas were daubed on the walls of Rome’s Jewish quarter during the postgame festivities. “As an Italian I feel ashamed, and as interior minister I am alarmed by such things,” Mr. Amato reportedly said during a visit to Rome’s main synagogue.

And a number of Italian politicians and the French ambassador to Italy issued a strong rebuke to remarks made by Roberto Calderoli, the former minister of reform and a member of the right-wing National Alliance Party. After the Cup victory he said that the Italians had vanquished a French team that was comprised of “Negroes, communists and Moslems.” Italian soccer is no stranger to extremist politics. Italian football matches are often used as a platform for far-right fans to express racist sentiments.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/sports/soccer/11cnd-italy.html?hp&ex=1152676800&en=e353d1c6e81c612c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Bacchus39]

94. Zidane was the one red carded and thrown out

he was the one that hurt is team by lashing out.

I bet taunting goes on all the time in soccer. what do you expect? players to run up to the ref and say the opposing team players called him a bad name?

[muriel_volestrangler]

98. I'm not apologising for racism; but you are apologising for assault

otherwise why wouldn't you regard the assault as a mistake? I regard racist remarks as bad, and support them being illegal; but I don't think the victims should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. You seem to think that's OK.

[ozone_man]

102. Is a violent response ever justified?

When you are being abused verbally or physically, are violent reactions ever justified? I'm not condoning Zidane, but he is human afterall and no doubt took great offense at these remarks and actions, which were designed to provoke a response. I think five out of ten people asked how they would have responded would have answered that they'd have done the same thing.

If Zidane played on and filed a complaint later, would anything happen more than a slap on the wrist for this Materazzi? I think as a result of the publicity, we will see some action on this. The World Cup should be denied if it is won in this fashion.

Also, I've just heard that some of the local kids attending soccer camp are being told of this World Cup racism, including nipple twisting, and asked for their reactions. Would any of this have come to light if a world class soccer player hadn't stood up like this in front of hundreds of millions of people? I think it is also likely that the kids are being asked for their opinions on appropriate responses to actions such as these.

What good is a World Cup if it is won in such an underhanded way? No good in my opinion. Victory at all costs is not victory. It's a shame, because the Italians deserved to be in the final after watching the game against Portugal. But all that has been forfeited to achieve a hollow victory.

[muriel_volestrangler]

105. If witnesses agreed it was said, there might have been publicity

The Spanish coach Luis Aragones made racist remarks about Thierry Henry, and was fined. There was quite a lot of publicity about it - see Google search.

There is absolutely no way you can 'deny the World Cup' because of this. Materazzi allegedly did something against FIFA rules, and perhaps the law (I'm not sure what German law is about racist remarks); Zidane clearly did something against all the rules of football, and the law of Germany (assault). The referee definitely followed the correct course.

[ozone_man]

106. The World Cup is already denied.

A hollow victory achieved by foul play is worthless.

There are different ways of combating racism. I prefer the approach taken by Thierry Henry, but in the end, it may be that the approach taken by Zidane may have as much or more of an effect, even if it wasn't intended to be. It was an emotional reaction that any normal person could have had.

[muriel_volestrangler]

107. There's not a single team that didn't commit a foul

So who would you award the Cup to? There is a 'fair play' trophy in the World Cup - Brazil and Spain were the joint winners. We have no idea if there were any insults aimed at Italian players by the French - it was only Zidane's reaction that got this incident so minutely examined. We don't know if Zidane's absence made any real difference, anyway - the British commentators pointed out the French started trying a lot harder after he was sent off.

[ozone_man]

114. Several levels to look at this.

From the overall level of cleaning up soccer and professional sports in general, not to mention what passes for amateur sports such as the Olympics nad all of the doping that goes on there. FIFA is addressing many of these issues, including doping, betting, racism among players, coaches and fans, diving, simulation, etc..

At the specific level, it appears that a racist remark and other foul play were responsible here, so the issue comes to the fore front, and gets examined more closely. After watching this video, I don't think Materazzi should be playing in World Cup soccer. My guess is that he was told to harass Zidane. If the racist remarks are true, and if there was involvement by his coach, i.e., telling him to do this, then they should both be barred from professional soccer.

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

[Bacchus39]

119. I bet it happens all the time

they have a word for it: taunting.

Zidane can say that the Materazzi called him whatever, and Materazzi can say all he said was "I don't like croissants". how do you prove it? Zidane's actions were verifiable and indisputable.

[The Stranger]

120. You prove it the same way you prove Zidane's retaliation.

Other people told the referee what had happened, and the red card was issued.

The same process should take place for Materazzi, although his punishment will have to be meted out after the fact.

[Bacchus39]

121. I don't think Materazzi should be punished at all

Zidane is a hot head and couldn't take it.

so you are going to base punishments on hearsay? let the inquisition commence!!!

[The Stranger]

131. Then you would condone racism and bigotry,

if you would not punish Materazzi for violating the code of conduct and policy of FIFA.

And calling the investigation of incidents that violate an organization's policy against racism an "inquisition" seems a bit strange on this, a Progressive web site.

[Rumach]

124. Racial Incidents Mar Italy's Cup Celebrations

As usual the press got themselves worked up over something
that is basically nothing.

They are unaware of the subtleties of Italian spray graffiti. 
Notably the spray painting in the Roman Ghetto took place on
the night of delirious celebration when "anything"
goes and, importantly, the spray swastikas and celtic crosses
were painted in blue paint, the color of the local team Lazio,
famous for their right-wing graffiti and stupid racist
outlook. 

There are black swastikas and celtic crosses all over the city
that simply mean the Lazio fans did it.  Nothing more. 

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

82. Ok pal

Whatever you say

[noops]

77. There is more to it than just the name calling incident...

Materazzi was playing Zidane to death. Zidane hurt his shoulder about 10 minutes before this incident by guess who? Also, Zidane was fouled inside the penalty box and there was no call (very frustrating!). Also, several other French players were abused by Materazzi during the match.

I think what Zidane did was a cumulation of his angry sentiments towards Materazzi and was also a general indication of how most of the French players felt towards that player.

While the head butt is still an egregious act and i do not condone it, I applaud Zidane for putting his team above himself in this circumstance.

[ozone_man]

81. That was Marerazzi?

That would a nice video clip to review. I saw the replay on TV, but didn't know about Materazzi then. After watching that video, I see how he operates. A dirty player.

[demo dutch]

96. Especially since Materazzi is known to be extremely aggresive and has the

the reputation of being a maverick, contrary to Zidane.

[vincent_vega_lives]

122. That's all part of the sport

You know that whole Kichen-fire thing?

[suffragette]

83. Now there are reports that Zidane's mother was very ill

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19762820-2703,00.html
The alleged insult to his mother was described as especially explosive because she had been taken to hospital gravely ill on the day of the Cup final, and yesterday Zidane rushed back to Marseilles to be at her bedside.

Whether or not something was said to him about his mother specifically, knowing that his mother was so ill that she was taken to the hospital just before the final had to affect him strongly.

[robcon]

84. The development of the "Zidane was a victim" meme is troubling.

He attacked an opposing player. He's no victim.

[Hatalles]

85. Oh, please. Not everything is so black and white. nt

[ozone_man]

87. Zindane was already red carded.

What remains to be determined is whether Materazzi should have been as well, or perhaps suspended, if his behaviour violated FIFA requirements regarding racism, player respect, etc. Most of this stuff never sees the light of day, so there are some dirty players out there like Materazzi that get away with this stuff. FIFA is trying to clean things up, tightening up on refereeing of diving, simulations, tackling, racism, doping, betting, corruption. This is a much larger issue than Zindane as a victim. FIFA knows that racism in soccer is a manifestation of racism on the larger scale, but that it needs to be dealt with seriously. Nobody really wants to watch soccer if this stuff goes on.

[Henny Penny]

100. I agree.

But what if the comment was something like "I heard your mother hasn't long!" knowing that the guy's mother was just taken into hospital.

That comment would be likely to provoke a spectacular response and yet get reported in the Daily Mail type press as "Zidane reacted after Materazzi insulted his mother..."

[Henny Penny]

99. Some might find your overly simplistic world view troubling!

HE WAS PROVOKED! and unfortunately he reacted. The saddest moment of the World Cup for me and most others... even the Italians I was watching with.

[vincent_vega_lives]

123. Yes it is simplistic to condem violence in the face of taunts

But then not all of us have progressed past playground diplomacy.

[Hatalles]

86. "Revealed: The Disgusting Abuse that Sparked Zidane's Fury"

It is the question on every football fan's lips. What did the Italian footballer say to prompt Zinedine Zidane's shocking headbutt in the closing moments of Sunday's World Cup final?

The answer, it has emerged, was a vile stream of racial and personal abuse.

First Marco Matterazzi called the French star the Italian equivalent of 'n*****', and then insulted both his mother and his Muslim background by saying he is the 'son of a terrorist whore.

Full:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=395046&in_page_id=1770

[alcibiades_mystery]

88. Pure speculation

The Daily mail..."with the help of an expert lip reader..." :rofl:

What is this, a fucking Seinfeld episode? :rofl:

[FredScuttle]

97. Up next on "Psychic Sports".....

Our expert lip reader reveals the following:

1) Darryl Stingley called Jack Tatum a "jive-ass ignorant jigaboo" before Tatum delivered the hit that paralyzed Stingley for life


2) Ty Cobb was called a "son of a terrorist woman of ill-repute" by the double amputee in Wrigley Field whom Cobb proceeded to stomp into a bloody mess


3) Nicole Brown Simpson mentioned that Marcus Allen has a penis the size of a piece of driftwood within earshot of her ex-husband, OJ Simpson, before he cut her head off

[VolcanoJen]

118. Speculative indeed. Does the lip reader read Italian?

And French? And whatever language they both chose to speak in order to communicate with each other on the pitch? What language is that, exactly?

What language did the official speak?

As salacious and delicious as the speculation is, it seems every English tab has hired their own lip reader to tell us what set Zizou off. It's pretty humorous. I hear lately that the Brazilians claim they have the lip-reading scoop.

I'm waiting for the Zidane interview. I imagine the entire world is.

[noops]

128. If thats the case then

Materazzi got off easy. If I was Zidane and had lethal legs...

[fshrink]

89. Although the Italian team

is beyond a doubt an excellent team, who completely deserved to play the final and, why not, to win it, the Italian soccer world has been rotten for years by people like Berlusconi, who made cheating, fixing, blackmailing and racketteering a common tool for the teams management. Whatever Zidane's response or lack thereof, whatever the outcome of the game, such methods need to be exposed and eradicated. That's the bushway, that we know so well.

[Matilda]

116. Not sure that they did deserve to play the final.

Every game they played has been marred by diving and fake injuries holding up play and unsettling
other teams. Of course, I'm still dirty about the dive taken by Grosso in their match against
Australia, but that was only one incident of many. I could never say they lack talent, but they
ensured their victory by a style of playing that could be called cheating, and I don't think they
deserved to win.

IMHO, we'd have seen a much better final if it had been France versus Germany.

[noops]

129. Agreed

I think that about 83% percent of people who were closely following the world cup wanted to see France Vs. Germany.

[DelawareValleyDem]

104. At least we moved away from the ridiculous theory.

the Zidane was reacting to a nipple twist he received.

Based on the analysis of the lip readers, it appears that not only does Materazzi have a nasty mouth, he's the world fastest speaker. In a brief period of time, he called Zidane a dirty terrorist, a son of a terrorist, a son of a whore, a brother of a whore, a pimp, the Italian equivalent of the N word, and also managed to get in a F off.

My interest kindled, I did my own examination of the video, and I've concluded Materazzi accused Zidane of paying transaction fees on his mutual funds, like Shannon Sharpe used to do in those Charles Schwab. I know that would set me off.

[Biernuts]

110. Guess his conduct confirmed the remark n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

126. Zidane's were the actions of a "dirty terrorist"?

Exaggerate much? :eyes:

[judaspriestess]

117. I'm getting a kick (no pun intended)

out of the exaggeration of this head butt. He assaulted the player, he cost his team the world cup.
He's a shithead, blah, blah, blah.

He did not cost his team the world cup. Rooney (England) racked a guy in the nuts while he was down. He did not cost Englands demise either. This type of play happens all the time.


Zidane still got the GOLDEN BALL award because of his career not this one incident. Sure it was not the most intelligent thing to do, but we cannot make judgements when we are not the ones involved. I guess I'm in that 10% also.


Another rush to judgement

[suffragette]

125. Zidane will be interviewed on French tv today.

Zinedine Zidane is to give his version of the notorious World Cup final head-butt in an appearance on French television.
In a live interview to be broadcast on Canal Plus at 8.00pm (1700 BST), Zidane is expected to explain the nature of the slur hurled at him before Sunday's incident by Marco Materazzi, the Italy defender.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2266781,00.html

So, in a few hours, we will hear what he has to say about this.

http://www.canalplus.fr/pid5.htm
On Canal Plus, it says:
"Zidane s'explique en exclusive a 19h40 sur Canal+."


Edited to add link to Canal Plus about this.

[slackmaster]

130. A comeback regarding Materazzi's mother or sister would have served better

:nuke: