FIFA opens Zidane investigation

[Otto-matic]

"I did insult him, it's true," Materazzi said in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I categorically did not call him a terrorist. I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is."

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn/news_story.asp?id=171044

[Pagal4321]

I don't think we will EVER know the truth. Whatever Zidane will claim Materazzi said, he will just deny it.

[Weiser Wonder]

He's never picked up a newspaper? How can you not know what an "Islamic terrorist" is? Doesn't make any sense.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I heard a rumour that he said something about Zidane's dying mother

another Zidane video for ya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO5zZ...20va%20marquer

[troutman]

Zidane could be stripped of MVP award:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says Zinedine Zidane could be stripped of his Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup due to violent conduct.

"The winner of the award is not decided by FIFA, but by an international commission of journalists," Blatter said in Wednesday's La Repubblica. "That said, FIFA's executive committee has the right, and the duty, to intervene when faced with behavior contrary to the ethic of the sport."

Hey Sepp, clean up the simulation and obstruction while you are at it.

[troutman]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html


French soccer star Zinedine Zidane apologized for head-butting an Italian opponent during the World Cup final, saying Wednesday that he was provoked by harsh insults about his mother and sister.


"I apologize, to all the children" who watched the match Sunday, Zidane said in his first, highly-awaited comments about the brutal act of violence that marked the end of his career.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ane/index.html

The idea of taunting an opponent to the breaking point should be universally condemned. We Americans are no strangers to trash-talking -- it takes place everywhere from inner-city asphalt courts to country-club tennis courts. But the idea is that both the talker and the target know that it's nothing personal. No permanent harm is done.

When it goes over that line, both the instigator and the retaliator are in the wrong, even when only one of them is punished, as in the case of Materazzi and Zidane. It will undoubtedly be quite some time before Zidane can look at himself in the mirror without feeling regret. If Materazzi is any kind of sportsman, somewhere, deep inside, he will share that feeling.

[Festus]

To me, it was a fitting end to a joke of a tournament. Great athleticism and skill, but riddled with cowardly dives and wailing. The winning team was the 'best' at flopping around like a wounded trout. That tournament deserved that ending.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Festus

To me, it was a fitting end to a joke of a tournament. Great athleticism and skill, but riddled with cowardly dives and wailing. The winning team was the 'best' at flopping around like a wounded trout. That tournament deserved that ending.

What's wrong with trout?

[Bill Bumface]

What a joke if they strip the award already given to Zidane. At first I was fairly disgusted by his selfish actions at the end of a World Cup finals match, but after hearing all the background I really can't blame him for it and I seem to smile everytime I see the reply and watch Materazzi hit the ground. What a slimy cheap shotting ******* he is. A disgrace to the sport.

[spydermal]

http://break.com/index/italian_footb...g_program.html

[Festus]

Originally Posted by troutman

What's wrong with trout?

You're right; I apologize to all species of trout for that insensitive comparison.

I was also thinking that if I were a French soccer player and a member of the opposition had offered to swap jerseys at the end of the final, my response would be: "No thanks, I don't wear women's clothing." But that too would be an insult, this time to women. Also, I'm not sure about the clothing preferences of the French; they might enjoy that. But I digress.

[J pold]

Apparently he something was said about his mother and sister

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...0?FSO1&ATT=HMA

[sadora]

Originally Posted by Festus

You're right; I apologize to all species of trout for that insensitive comparison.

I was also thinking that if I were a French soccer player and a member of the opposition had offered to swap jerseys at the end of the final, my response would be: "No thanks, I don't wear women's clothing." But that too would be an insult, this time to women. Also, I'm not sure about the clothing preferences of the French; they might enjoy that. But I digress.

http://www.funnyjunk.com/pages/fool.htm

[LockedOut]

I categorically did not call him a terrorist

Saw the lip reading article and based on that Materazzi didn't call him a terrorist just his mother.

[Eagle Eye]

Looks like FIFA will open proceedings against Materazzi

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn/news_story.asp?id=171176

[moon]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

What a slimy cheap shotting ******* he is. A disgrace to the sport.

That is the perfect way to discribe Zidane. The head butt was a cheap shot no matter what was said.

Zidane is a piece of crap and deserves every ounce of ill will towards him.

If you can't take someone saying something personal to you as a pro athlete you probably shoudn't be out there. I am sure many others have heard worse things. I don't even think what was reportedly said was all that bad.