Jul
9th
2006
Zidane Headbutt Video
I was actually kind of hoping that France won so that Zidane could finish his career on a good note. Heh. Not anymore.
UPDATE: Here is another angle of the Zidane headbutt in the World Cup final:
UPDATE: Thanks for visiting our blog! We try to stay above the internet filters and frankly I am getting weary of editing down the cursing in the comments. So…
NOTICE: If you use a “bad word” in the future, don’t expect your comment to appear for very long.
Thanks for your cooperation. 
Unfortunately professional athletics practically encourages such machismo. It’s sad how many people around the world waste their time and energy and money following (or blogging about) professional sports. Few things speak more directly to the ugly baseness within us all.
doug, for consistency’s sake, i’d like to see you publicly agonizing about how the entire sport of soccer – everyone from the fifa president down to the 4-year old suburban soccer kids, is “out of control.” it’s only fair.
maggie, i find it odd that you’ve chosen this particular moment to make that particular comment. i mean, first of all, this event is like the olympics. whether or not these athletes get paid for representing their countries in the world cup, they would (probably every last one of them) do it for free. do you get the same feeling of unhealthy testosterone and male aggression from the olympics? from curling and long jump? because the olympics is the venue with which i think the world cup has the most similarities. i dispute your implicit claim that the world cup is a typical “professional” sporting event. its hardly professional (though most countries give players bonuses based on how many games they win).
do you think sports are corrupted because of the money involved at the professional level? is that where they get their unhealthy machismo? if not, then do you actually dislike all sports? my point here is, there isn’t much of a difference between, for example, professional basketball or football and amateur basketball or football (at the higher levels of the amateur game).
do you dislike just male sports? or do you also dislike games or events in which females are participating? is title IX the bane of your existence? or do you accept its evils because women get scholarships, so they can get an education and escape the evil male-dominated society that has enslaved them to the kitchen and the laundry for so many dark years?
do you dislike males? did you have a bad experience with a male of our species? have you ever experienced love (or is there too much machismo in dating? do you dislike the “high-five”? would a more refined expression of “cherio ‘ol chap” do the trick for you? do you have to go to the bathroom and vomit after watching a beer commercial on TV?
did you notice the first comment referenced (rather machismoically – if you equate vulgarity with machismo) that we are republicans? do you equally dislike politics because of the sad waste of time, energy, and money made by people following politics?
i really do not get you.
there is a beauty to sports that you cannot understand if you have never played a sport and called it your own. there are countless kids that grow up to be somebody because they spent time playing sports. but amateur sports would not be what they are without professional sports.
even with that said, i might have agreed with you to some extent had you gotten up on your anti-machismo soapbox to discuss the energy-wasting fans in the middle of a long professional season of, say, the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB. i think there may be something to find fault with in people who spend all their free time following a team during the season, know every meaningless statistic, etc. but the world cup?
IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS!
it is truly a classic occasion and a beautiful month of competition that does not deserve your harsh treatment.
you hardly know how stupid you sound, especially considering if we are sad for blogging about professional sports, you must be even worse for merely commenting on our blog in response to our post about professional* sports. i mean, the next thing you know, you’ll be scrawling your hateful messages on overpasses by stadiums in which professional sports are played. you’re not that far off. get a life.
bravo trav. ditto.
What a way to end one of the most epic careers in football. zindane will always be number one.
If I were a scout trying to take the best France has off the field I’d get a defender to insult this stupid man until he red cards himself out of the game. That’s what happened. You have a guy who has a history of going crazy over insults. I say – let him go crazy. apparently – so did the Italians. He deserves to go and They deserved to win.
Italian trash. zidane’s mother was taken to the hospital before the final game very ill, and that dirty grease ball said something that apparently was so bad that zidane has yet to repeat it. personally I wish he would have hit him in the face and then stompped on him a bit. By FIFA rule, Italy should be
stripped of the cup at the least. As far as whats being said of one the greatest players of all time
going out in a shameful manner, I think for him to do such a thing had to be warranted, he played for almost 20 years as one of the least dirty players around. If you only watch every for years just because its on tv, you really have no idea what you are talking about and probably dont like or know anything abou the game anyway so why not keep your armchair coach philosophy to yourself? futhermore, Italy made it to and won the cup on fluke and were for sure outplayed the entire final match. what is baseness? is that a word?
rick you’re probably a dirty greaseball mafioso wop yourself.
go choke on some tortolini
Rick, you obviously have not followed Zidane throughout his career. He was one of the most docile players that I have ever seen and it’s a shame that you cannot acknowledge his brilliance on the pitch and would rather see him red carded out of games. As far as the Italians go: yes, they mave have deserved this win. But I would rather see Zidane play instead of Totti, Pirlo, Toni or Del Piero any day of the week. It’s a shame that we will not have that priviledge anymore.
Wow! You guys like to throw the insults. Let’s really put all this into perspective. I am female and love all kinds of sports, including soccer. So please don’t insult me as you did the last female opinion. In any professional sport there is trash talk. It is part of the game. Anything the Italian guy may have said does not give Zidane the right to react the way he did. I’m not saying he is not a great player, but he deserved the red card and the black mark on his great career. I wanted the Italians to win, but I would say the same even if one of them acted so recklessly. I also feel that you do not award a man with the Golden Ball after such an event. Sets a real great example for the millions of kids watching the game. I think Cannavaro deserved it much more and always played with class, but no one mentions him.
Hey Jane…ditto! Am I the only person who read that Zidane arrogantly said to Materazzi “If you want my shirt, I will take it off and give it to you after the game.” Materazzi relied, “I’ll take your wife’s shirt off after the game.” That is what was written on ESPN website. I feel as though sports players banter back and forth, it’s all part of the game. Materazzi put out the bait and Zidane bit. I also thought I read that Zidane has a history of headbutting. Is that not true? And Adam, please keep your ethnic slurs to yourself. I feel as though teams are evenly matched when it is a low scoring game that ends in PKs.
Kyle, I just read on Fox news website that Zidane has a history of “erupting” in games. Stomping on a Saudi player, headbutting others, and numerous yellow cards. Isn’t this characteristic of his behavior? I never heard of Zidane until the world cup, he was amazing to watch. I wanted Italy to win but I was very disappointed to see Zidane leave on such a bad note. As captain, with 10 minutes left to play, he should have known better.
Rochelle,
I agree with you when telling Adam to keep his racial slurs to himself. That is the attitude of someone who would be supportive of such a stupid act. I also am Italian, but wouldn’t take the time to answer someone with such limited intelligence. I happen to play, coach, and watch soccer all the time, so he cannot possibly debate the sport with me. The Italians made it and won because they played consistently and as a team. He obviously missed the first round of playing if he thinks France didn’t make it on a fluke. I respect both teams, as I would any team if they made it. I don’t respect racists like Adam.
Jane, Rochelle and whomever else,
True, I do believe that Zidane deserved a red card for his grievous mistake in judgement. And as for the Italian team and Cannavaro playing cleanly, you I would suggest going to replays of each game they played. The Italian team is one of the dirtiest–in terms of fouls and taunting–I could say this having played in minor league in Italy and Spain. Plus, Materazzi is guilty of similar jeerings in the past.
H*** s*** that was crazy!!!!! what a f****** spaz
Gino,
I never claimed that any team played cleanly all the time. If you focus on any professional player and view videos of them, you can find several examples of dirty play – Materazzi and Zidane both included in this. I disagree that the Italians are dirtier than any other as I saw examples from just about every nation in this world cup and others from the past. I also disagree with putting Zidane on a pedestal after such behavior. Regardless of what kind of man or play Materazzi is, the act was foolish and violent. It’s just not good for the sport and again, he deserved what he got.
Selon le Sun et le Daily Mail, les propos tenus par Materazzi à Zidane lors de la finale du Mondial sont clairs. Alors que Zidane s’éloignait, le joueur italien lui aurait dit: “On sait tous que tu es le fils d’une pute terroriste”.
According to the Sun and Daily Mail, They were able to decrypt what Materazzi said, “We know you’re a son of a terrorist whore.”
http://coupe-du-monde-2006.france2.fr/actualite/22844034-fr.php
where can i learn to headbutt like that??
Ok Adam Smith, follow up and don’t go off rumors. nobody has been able to prove anything about what was said to Zidane. I have heard all kinds of stuff from “dirty Terrorist”, to “a spanish moor” to sister insults and mother insults that people THINK he said to Zidane, but i do not believe any of it, because nobody knows for sure yet except for Zidane and Materazzi. …. Materazzi publicly stated that…”I certainly did not call him a terrorist: I’m ignorant, I don’t even know exactly what an Islamic terrorist is … I also certainly didn’t say anything about Zidane’s mother: for me, a mother is sacrosanct. So stop believing what your friends tell you and do what the rest of us our doing, wait for FIFA to finish their investigation, then come out and say whatever you have to say.
secondly…. as Jane said, Trash-talking is a part of the game (ask Alexi Lalas about that). Zidane being the captain and a veteran of soccer should know that he needs to keep his head in the game. I don’t care how tired you are, how long you have been running, if the other 21 men out there can keep their heads in the game…. SO CAN HE! ESPECIALLY in his last game, now all these non biased fans that watch the world cup are going to remember zidane as that a******* that randomly head-butted that Italian guy.
Now don’t get me wrong, Zidane was one of my FAVORITE players, through thick and thin… and i still have loads of respect for him on the athletic level. But right when i saw that clip, he lost a lot of respect. i thought he was smarter than that :-/
oh and adam smith, zidane has had 3 other occasions like this one, DIRTy… dirty occarions… with other headbutts and stomping on people…. so… do some homework maybe.
and ya know… if they’re good enough to beat france (the team that knocked out the great Brazil… they most have something going for them). PLus the only goal that france scored in regulation was off a s*** PK call… lets not forget about that.
rochelle… umm… how have you never heard of zidane ever until wc? yes he DID come out of retirement.. but that’s like saying ronaldinho? who’s ronaldinho? or who’s thierry henry? Mayeb you dont follow soccer that well… but if you do, shame.
and you look at any footballers in the world… i doubt under zidane’s situation, nobody would have kept their cool. You’re tired, you’re trying to win, you’re old as hell
and i mean you’d have to say… that was a pretty hot headbutt.
Penalty Kicks in general suck. They’re a great way to decide on a winner, but not a true sign of a better team, just individual kicker’s skill. It shows that neither team was better than their opponent, rather equal.
and Rochelle, i have been searching and searching for this “I’ll take your wife’s shirt off after the game.â€
reply,
i dont think its there…. if you have the link i’d like to see it.
Elare yiorgo, here’s what you’re looking for regarding the wife comment
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19757414-23215,00.html
I don’t believe Italy “defeated” France. They won the game by penalty kicks. I think most footy fans would agree?
thanx
materazzi is obvioulsy ignorant, im sure you’ve all heard about the racial slurs and comments about Zidanes wife/sister. I think Zidane had every right to headbutt that ignorant grease ball, I would of done the same. Even though materazzi denies all of this i really dont beleive him, im sure he said something to provoke the most brilliant soccer player of all…who cares, zidane ended of with the golden ball and a bad*** rep…I love Zidane for puttin that guy in his place.
p.s. materazzi is a f**
Players all harass each other on the field, it’s just part of the game–unfortunately. They all taunt and tug when the refs aren’t looking, but once in a while they get caught. Materazzi is guilty of this as well, his record proves it. He was suspended for some time for a similar incident. As was Zidane.
Materazzi is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended for two months for punching Siena defender Bruno Cirillo after a Serie A game in February 2004, and earned condemnation following a brutal tackle on Sweden and Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in October 2005.
Materazzi was also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season.
One Italian senator even suggested that Materazzi — also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season — didn’t merit selection for the Italian team because of his physical style.
Zidane also is known for having a temper. He was sent off for stomping on a Saudi Arabian opponent at the 1998 World Cup, while at Germany 2006 he was banned for France’s group match against Togo.
Five years ago with Juventus, Zidane head-butted an opponent in a Champions League match against Hamburger SV after being tackled from behind.
Meanwhile, Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni accused FIFA of double standards, noting that soccer’s governing body named Zidane as the tournament’s best player after his head-butt, while Italy forward Francesco Totti was kicked out of the 2004 European Championship for spitting in an opponent’s face.
Jane,
I’m not saying that Italy is the only dirty team. But, from playing there compared to playing in Northern Europe, there was a tremendous difference, and I’m Italiano by the way. I have to admit, I lost respect for my own team when they played the usa so dirty. Poor McBride.
I don’t know, he couldn’t have said anything THAT bad if the guy headbutted him in the chest instead of punching him in the face or something more violent and less hilarious.
I’ve heard on Japanese news that a Brazilian news crew hired a lip reader to analyze what the Italian was saying and twice they say the Italian insulted Zidane’s sister/nationality.
If you look carefully at the footage, it appears to validate a theory that the Italian gave Zidane a “purple nurple” (hope this is the correct term for a painful nipple twist). If you also look carefully at the bottom footage and compare it to the top, the Italian player is also doing something physical with Zidane’s back, too.
If Zidane headbutted the Italian for racist harassment, I’m glad he did. Why should the minorities always have to “eat” the racist comments without comment/retaliation. Zidane simply expressed the pent-up rage that racism burns into the flesh and mind of the victim. The true victims are the people who are constantly harassed/stressed out/depressed/beat down by this daily racism, NOT THE WIMPY RACIST WHO GOT WHAT HE DESERVED.
Jane,
talking about Cannavaro, what do you think about his shoulder action against Henry in the first minute of the final ? Please do not tell me that he could not avoid Henry or at least put his shoulder back…
And what about Zambrotta a few minutes later against Vieira ?
Just to say that Zidane’s headbutt was a stupid but unfortunately human reaction in a rather dirty game.
By the way I am french and I consider that Italy deserved their victory as they perfectly applied the required tactics to do so. And we have been lucky enough against them in 1998 and 2000…
some of u nobheds r sayin ooo what zidane did was disgraceful f*** dat matarrazttzi called zidanes mum a terrorist if i was zidane i wuldnt av stopped headbuttin im nd punchin im til e was out called u cnt say things lyk that and expect 2 get away with it ervy1 says down with racism that is racism and matarrazzti shuld in my opinon recieve a lengthy ban nd zidane shuld get fined or smetin
I think that materazzi deserved more than a headbutt. i mean if someone insulted me like that i would have broken their nose! good on ya zidane! go out with a bang, i would.
By the way Zidane will talk on french TV tonight. Just hope he will feel sorry for what he did, refuse the world cup best player title, congratule Italy (including Materazzi)for their victory and keep Materazzi’s words for himself. Then he will leave as the great player he has always been.
Italia campione del mondo..
you just got served, rest of the world..
Jules and others,
Again, if you read what I said, if you analyze tape of ANY player, you will find instances of dirty play. It is a rough sport. I could go back through the tape also and find instances of rough French play – but that is a waste of time. My only point in all of this is that Zidane should be a leader and he lost his head. I agree he is a great player and it is a shame that he ended it that way. But he did end it that way and got what he deserved. Oh, and of course he never trash talks on the field, right? You see him talking to opposing players the entire game. What you people are forgetting is that it does not matter what Materazzi said or what kind of player he is. In this case, Zidane was at fault. Stop making excuses for him.
Gino,
What Northern Europe team are you talking about? England? They are in the same category for physical play. All the world powerhouse teams have moments of dirty play. Watch tapes of them all (France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, England, and so on). You have to compare apples to apples.
Jane,
No excuse indeed, he lost control, was logically sent off and penalized his teammates.
But all the mess around this is a bit too much. He just proved that he is only human, with the dark part that it can involve.
Once again, Cannavaro did something wrong as well (less spectacular) and he would have been sin binned in a rugby game. He is nevertheless a extraordinary player, he was finally the one to lift the cup and this is well deserved after years of bad luck for Italy.
Jules,
I agree that all the mess around this is too much. It is taking away from who won the game fairly. I’m not saying Zidane is a bad man, but he messed up and got the red card he deserved. Excellent player – don’t know the guy personally so I won’t judge his character. That should be the end of story. Cannavaro had an excellent cup and was consistently tough in every game. He may have fouled someone, too, but we can look at every player on the field and say that. He deserved to hold up the trophy for his team.
According to Materazzi, after he tugged Zidane’s shirt Zidane said: “If you really want my shirt you can have it after the game.” What a witty response! This shows me that Zidane is not only good with his feet, he is articulate as well!! Also in saying this he was showing considerable restraint! To me this lends credance to the theory that Materazzi said something further to provoke him, which certainly seems to be the case when you watch the video of the incident taken from the front! Also Materazzi’s comment “I don’t even know what an Islamic terrorist is” does NOT have a ring of truth to it. What planet does this clown live on, anyway??!!! I think both players were in the wrong. Zidane has been punished. Materazzi has yet to be. . .
Anyone who thought France was lucky to get the penalty goal, let’s not forget a penalty NOT given to France in the second half… and how Italian got the penalty in the round of 16 game with socceroo in order to advance – (I can accept the referee’s decision under the circumstance, though it is still hard to swallow for us Aussie.)
I agree with the sent off – no excuse, but Zidane is still one of the best ever. I think “If you want my shirt, I will take it off and give it to you after the game.†was very witty. If what has been conjectured of Materazzi’s reply may have said is true, I am sorry but to admit that I am very proud of Zidane’s perfect headbutt. Anyone who said otherwise, I wish you the situation and insults as Zidane has confronted.
Haha!!
Vashti, that is exactly what I thought.
Who knows what really happened…but I would think that if Materazzi didn’t say it he would defend himself by explaining, “There is no way I would ever accuse someone of being a terrorist,” rather than claiming he didn’t know what one was.
I suppose we will hear Zidane’s side of the story this evening…
Guys,
Again, what seems to be happening here is Zidane is falling into the “no fault” category because he is a good soccer player. To turn this around and talk about how rotten Maseratti is just twists the situation and takes blame away from him. I’m not claiming Maseratti is an angel, but Zidane is at greater fault. Yes, he was probably provoked, but still not a good enough excuse for such physical violence. It’s a shame that people keep making excuses for him. I respect him as a great soccer player, but it was a nasty act and not his first.
Why I keep writing Maseratti instead of Maserazzi is beyond me!!
i still dont knw what the hell matterazzi said to him!!!!! he must have said something to upset one of the worlds best footballers and you can even see his lips moving before zidane butted him.
Look you stupid retards, Zidane and his family including his mum maybe are terrorists and i think i was called for, plus who is better then the italian NESSUNO Vafanulo pezzo di m****
One more thing RETARDS, FIFA wont take the cup from Italy, here is why, WE WON THE CUP without DEBATE! and number 2, I guess they would have to take Argentina’s cup away since VIDEO clearly shows MARADONA used his famous HAND OF GOD to put in the WORLD CUP winning GOAL. You guys gotta figure out ITALIA is #1 and you losers can stick it up your trailer trash white a**. Plus we are top of the food chain for the last 2000 yrs, half of Washington DC resembles ROMA, along with your laws and stupid government
Agreed.
I was dissapointed that Zidane decided to headbutt Materazzi. Zidane was the captain and an experienced player. As I said in the post, I wanted France to win for Zidane’s sake. Yet, it seems that Zidane didn’t put winning above settling scores.
Overall, a sad situation for everyone involved.
I think what Zidane is was great–the Italian deserved it–World Cup football match or not. And to the contrary of what people say about him “Going out in shame”, I think he went out in a blaze of glory.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/12/bc.eu.spt.soc.france.zidane.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
Jane,
you said “I could go back through the tape also and find instances of rough French play”. Well I didn’t notice that many fouls or dirty play by the french team in this game?
Yes it’s true Italy played well in the 1st half (a great corner and a great goal, could have been two!) but they were totally outplayed by the french in the second and in extra time..The italians were not in great physical shape I thought and after that..well, penalties..it’s just russian lottery.
Italy won but I can’t say that I was ever impressed by this italian team during the cup..apart maybe the game against ukraine but then ukraine were not good this year. Cannavaro is ok but is no Zidane as far as football is concerned, I don’t think anyone would disagree here..
The headbutt? well it’s a totally stupid but normal reaction! Anyone would react like this if one’s family and race was insulted in such a way. Disgusting really if what was read-lipped from Materazi is really what he said! shame on him!
But its true that Zidane’s act ‘s a really bad example to give to anyone if you just look at the video..
Italy won the cup but I don’t think it was a glorious victory, not a great game and not a great tornament for them.
I feel sorry for the state of italian football at the moment. I suppose the world cup euphory will help forget what’s happening in the italian championship..
Thank you Zizou for everything!!
It amazes me how some people are so one-sided. Italy won the cup and whether Arni is impressed or not means zilch. You don’t need to be impressed. Bottom line is they beat the French – end of debate on who played better. It sounds like a tad of jealousy. And if the French were so superior, they would have won the game. And I will tell you, you can insult me all you want, I won’t headbutt you and I won’t come back to answer you either. If someone insults me, I would look upon them as ignorant and I still have the upper hand. Zidane no longer does.
Jane,
That’s a totally fair comment, and I agree with you about zidane’s reaction..read again what I wrote..I think it’s a stupid one! But it’s also a normal reaction of someone who hear insults and racial hatred of such a low level.
I just hope Materazi wasn’t thinking what he said and that it was again just provocation which so often takes place when the italian team is involved. Sorry just check out the usa game for instance..
Anyway, I just wish Zidane had kept his cool just 15 more minutes! He could have then have had a proper word with the italian thug in the changing rooms..
And yes, I or any fan of football do need to be impressed by the world cup display because they were definitely some great matches this year and some great teams..so you expect some great entertainment from the winners. Not the case from Italy this year.
Travis,
I’m stupid to make a post, and yet I’m also stupid because my post is not long enough to answer all your inane questions. Your main argument seems to be that it is not proper for me to criticize this behavior and/or sport and/or tournament, because there’s even worse behavior to be found elsewhere. The rest of your post was simply childish.
I won’t engage in a back in forth with someone who makes such illogical and immature arguments. Enjoy your game.
HEY ITALIANO, ok, heres a little history lesson for you you pompous a**, Rome completely based its government, its laws, and even its religious beliefs off of another country…. GREECE…. [admin: last phrase deleted]
Arni,
I understand what you say about great entertainment, but sometimes slow and steady wins the race. I mean if the greatest team always were to win, there would be no excitement or entertainment in that and Brazil would have another cup. But that is the excitement of the tournament. It’s anyones title in single game elimination. Think of games like NCAA basketball and how exciting it is. The best, most talented team rarely wins. And I hate to see an entire team of Italians being called racist names because of the comment of one of it’s members. (Not from you, but others on this chat.) I say congratulations for the victory!
I agree with you Jane. Also, the Italians have made it far in the World Cup consistently. That can’t all be luck. They’re talented. Also, the Italians played as a team so it doesn’t matter that there are no stunning “stars” of the game, although some would argue that. A team should be more than the sum of it’s parts. I felt on the French side a few of the players tried to steal the show and that may be the reason they didn’t score after the 7th minute.
I have seen so many ignorant posts and assumptions I feel ready to explode, but none compare to the rash and uninsightful posts by one Adam Smith. It’s unfortunate he doesn’t possess even a shred of the wisdom of the philosopher and economist who bears the same name.
“that dirty grease ball said something that apparently was so bad that zidane has yet to repeat it.”
A: Perhaps what you say is true. But isn’t it also likely he hasn’t released what was said because it will make him seem foolish for overreacting. How can someone say something about another’s relatives so horrible if that person has had zero contact with said relatives? I can insult your mama all day long Mr. Smith but it shouldn’t mean a thing to you as I don’t and never will know your mother.
“By FIFA rule, Italy should be stripped of the cup at the least.”
A: On what grounds?! Come on, form an argument here instead of spouting out b*******.
“futhermore, Italy made it to and won the cup on fluke and were for sure outplayed the entire final match.”
A: I don’t see having the best defensive stats in the entire tournament a fluke. Flukes don’t happen over a period of multiple games at a level of play so high as the World Cup. If Zidane and France were soooo good they should be able to prevent such “flukes” from happening.
“what is baseness? is that a word?”
A: You’re an idiot. The Oxford English Dictionary says:
4. Moral turpitude, reprehensible cowardice or selfishness, contemptible meanness; an act or trait of this character.
“rick you’re probably a dirty greaseball mafioso wop yourself. go choke on some tortolini”
A: Adam, you’re probably some senseless, brainless, racist prick yourself. Go do the world a favor and drown yourself in a bathtub.
Best,
M
Emphasis mine:
Surely I am not the only one amused by the fact that this post, about the overreaction to insults, has spurred much of the same…
M.Thomas i don’t really agree with all your statements but i totally agree with the last one he overiacted more than zidane and yes go drown yourself you racist a****** =] good job thomas lol
The insider story : Zidane’s headbutt
I just want to see a video clip of the head-butt =(
From me, doug, one of the blog admins:
Thanks for visiting our blog! We try to stay above the internet filters and frankly I am getting weary of editing down the cursing in the comments. So…
NOTICE: If you use a “bad word” in the future, don’t expect your comment to appear for very long.
Thanks for your cooperation.
don’t go running away just because you can’t answer a few simple questions. you completely misunderstood my comment. my questions were meant to see if what you said was actually what you meant (because what you said was utterly ridiculous). you said:
i want to know whether you think all sports (1) encourage machismo (2) are pitiful things for people to spend their time watching and (3) speak quite directly to an “ugly baseness” within us all, or whether only professional sports do 1, 2, and 3. i want to know if you believe that all sports are bad, or is it only professional sports? i want to know if you believe that high school or college or “pee-wee” league sports or women’s sports or olympic sports or neighborhood pick up games speak to an “ugly baseness within us all” or if it’s just sports for money, played by males. and if you believe professional sports are so much worse, why do you think this is? is it the money? can you prove to me that professional sports are worse? can you even prove the world cup is a professional sport?
this is what i want to know. i just want a little clarity from you. please enlighten me, sports psychologist maggie. and please don’t run away from perfectly legitimate questions by calling them “childish,” “illogical,” or “immature.”
you’re also welcome to venture beyond the scope of my questions and propose, for example, how we could rid sports (or professional male sports) of their machismo, or if sports need to be eradicated from the earth altogether.
thank you in advance.
yours,
t
One thing is for sure, Zidane’s career definetly went out with a bang. Before the headbutt, I’m pretty sure Zidane had a header that the Italian keeper barely saved. Maybe Zidane was still frustrated that he missed the opportunity to score the potential game winning goal and that’s why he was so quick to retaliate. Just a thought…
So I read what Zidane said in his interview. Now I feel even more sad for him. I think he conducted himself with great dignity in the interview but he is clearly deeply hurt. There are two things that really bother me about all this: the incident between Zidane and Materazzi happened outside the run of play and had nothing to do with a contest over ball possession. In other words Materazzi was just harassing Zidane for the sake of it. This appalls me. Also Materazzi says the insult he gave was one of those that “gets thrown around the pitch all the time.” He blatantly admits that this sort of thing is standard behaviour! I have no words to say how much that disgusts me! I find it shocking that people say “trash talk” is part of the game, as if that’s acceptable. What’s the difference between that and saying that “headbutting and stomping” are just part of the game, and Materazzi should deal with it. In my book physical and verbal abuse are both equally unacceptable. Besides, I am sure Materazzi has recovered from the headbutt, while Zidane is clearly still hurting over the pain of the insults. If FIFA takes action against Zidane and not Materazzi I will be appalled. Please note, I am a neutral, a South African. I am a woman and my husband has been trying for years to get me to take an interest in soccer! I really just watched because of the occasion of the World Cup and the desire to see the best team win. I now come away saddened and disillusioned, having watched a great man being brought down by an “uncultured” thug. Furthermore said thug has “defended” himself by saying this sort of thing goes on all the time. I am waiting to see what FIFA does before I decide whether to ever support the sport again. Please take note, in South Africa we are trying to put a stop to racism and abuse of human dignity, so please don’t bring it over here in 2010!
***Warning*** indirectly related to blog, mostly just ideas from a 20 year old kid from jersey ***Warning***
Random Babble
First and foremost, Zidane is definately one of the greatest of all time. I have no doubt that since his first time strapping on the boots in the US Saint Henri Club until now, probably in the park kicking the ball around with 3 of his boys( unless the fourth can headbutt as well as he could), Zidane has and will continue to amaze people.
Anyway, this is a pretty sick post. Except for Maggie and Italiano, you all make some point or another. I can tell from what i am reading that most of you misunderstand soccer though. ” He’s the captain”, ” He should have known better”, ” What an [expletive]“. Just a reminder, Futbol is a sport of endurance, strength, strategy, and politics.
Yeah soccer is just a sport, but when the World Cup rolls by the whole world takes a deep breath before every penalty shot. The entire nation of Italy throws their arms up in anger when one of their players gets dropped. The entire nation of Brazil cries when another match is stolen from them by bad officiating. The entire nation of Ghana puts their civil issues on pause and rejoices as their team strives for the gold. It isn’t a game anymore, it’s a way of life.
There is a hell of a lot of emotion, passion in the sport. Zidane did what any self respecting man under tremendous amounts of pressure would do, and so did Materazzi. They both “played the game” very well, Italy came out on top. To me a blatant dive is just as “bad” as headbutting someone in the chest so hard he falls to ground. But that’s just me. Soccer isn’t the boring, docile sport a lot of people thought it was huh??
This year, the world cup seemed to blow up in a big way. Everyone watched it. This is the most excited i have seen most americans since the womens world cup (and if everyone remembers, not even that could be enjoyed without controversy). It sucks that everyone had to witness the raw uncensored side of sports, but it’s part of the business. Violence is part of human nature. It’s not Zidane’s fault if your kid goes out tomorrow and dives into someone headfirst, It’s your damn fault.
Zidane definately deserved the Golden Ball this year, the man is skilled. As far as skill goes, Skill makes fast breaks, diving headers, bicycle kick goals, twisting opponents’ legs into pretzels… Zizou continuously and relentlessly did this for almost as long as i have been alive.
In the end, life isn’t fair for most of us, the media [expletive] stuff up and blows things way out of proportion, and i will not revisit this blog if i can help it. Feel free to say whatever ignorant bull you guys want or respect everyones right to randomly visit a page and leave their 2 cents.
P.S. I love my ugly baseness.( and so do the ladies
Kered. I have read and understand your argument. It confirms what I have long suspected. That the sport of soccer is something other than what it claims to be. That it is really about thuggery and misdirection, about sticking it to the other guy and seeing how much you can get away with. Basically about wallowing in all that is worst in human nature. Not a beautiful game but a brutal one.
I understand that some people find that sort of thing entertaining, hence the popularity of wrestling and so-called “reality” television. My argument is that a choice must be made. FIFA and all those who have a stake in the sport of soccer should either clean up their act and become what they claim to be, or admit to “reality”, and sink gleefully into violence and degradation. Swim in it, if they wish, and you with them.
Then people who don’t enjoy that sort of thing can make an informed decision to switch the channel, rather than being duped by “false advertising.”
Right now they’re selling a dream and delivering a freak show.
That was the funniest thing I have ever seen it was hilarious!!!! Materazzi deserved that.
Zidane shouldn’t have done that because he lost the game for his team, he should had waited until the end of the game.
THIS BLOG IS F***** S*** YOU REPUBLICAN SCUM C*** F*** YOUR M******* B** YOU F***** SOCCER LOVING FOOL. DIE OF AIDS now
[this gem of a comment comes to us all the way from IP 203.208.88.138 in milton, australia. note the clear-headed and methodical refutation of everything with which its author disagrees - admin.]
There was a lot of comments about Zidane should have put winning the WC above all else. Isn’t it honourable to tell the world that he is not going to let anyone abuses his family? I think winning the wc is no comfort for taking in such insults without recourse to any justice… I think justice has been done for Zidane’s headbutt by sending him off. The justice for Materazzi is the headbutt… It is a relief for me that it wasn’t a racist comment, but still a deserving headbutt.
Until there is a way to punish all those shirt-pullings and verbal abuses, headbutting is probably the only a recourses. I think at least Zidane’s action is more direct and honest than a “careless” tackle from behind, and help promoting debates on some issues in football.
Being the first headbutting (and only one so far) in a World Cup final, for better or worse, I think it just makes Zidane more legendary.
By the way, thanks to those folks who put the headbutt video into the video game (fighting games) context. I cannot stop laughing.
Vashti,
No one claimed trash talking was morally right. If you are offended so easily, you probably can’t watch many pro sports, interviews, movies, etc. If you think the world cup is a freak show, maybe YOU need to turn it off. All sports have a touch of violence in them – American football, rugby, basketball, hockey, soccer and many more. Maybe you should stick to watching figure skating – it would suit you better.
Zidane is a very good player and does not deserve to to leave his career being hated and being remenbered as the man who headbutted an italian and ruined one of the greatest world cup finals in history. Zidane and the italian player should come clean and say what really happened that evening. Apologize to each other and forget that anything happened that evening between the two.
Zidane. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I DONT CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU I STILL THINK THAT HEADBUTT WAS COOL.
materazzi got pwned…lol..whatta punk!
TAL you are an idiot! Speak real English!
According to Zidane’s theory,next time I am called some bad word by another driver at the crossroad, I am justified to get down and gunshoot him, as he “provoked†me.
It’s a shame the way some people try to reverse reality, only because they simply hate us Italians and they can’t bear we are World Champions for the 4th time in our history. Evidently, they are in such an envy that they have to find some reason to throw mud on our victory.
Bad words always fly around in every pitch, as anyone who has played football well know, but it looks like somebody has realized that only now.
Anyway Materazzi denied to have pronounced any insult concerning race, religion, politics (and that was confirmed by Zidane), as well as Zidane’s mother (Materazzi lost his at the age of 14, and he said he would never insult any other’s one). Maybe he said something on his wife, as sometimes happens between two drivers questioning for parking.
Anyway, whatever Materazzi could have said in the heat of the moment, Zidane’s reaction can never be justified, also because such a blast in one’s chest can cause, in the worst case, a cardiac arrest (ask a physician of you don’t believe that).
In Euro 2004 Totti was crucified by international press, included Italian one, for spitting the well-known professional provoker Poulsen (yes, he is a provoker and he is Danish, not Italian: he did again to Kakà in a Champions League match, who at the end said the he finally knew why Totti did that). Nevertheless we all Italians said at that time that Totti’s one was a very bad act, and he deserved to be disqualified. Italy was eliminated from Euro 2004 (also thanks to the 2-2 fix between the “Scandinavian brothers†Denmark and Sweden), but nobody asked for Poulsen to be punished, even if his behaviour was clear from the beginning of the match, and a camera of the Danish TV was fixed on Totti just waiting for the moment of the reaction.
Many people should learn from us Italians not only how to win (I remember once again to everybody: we are 4-times World Champions), but also how to lose (that’s what many others usually do).
Fabrizio, headbutt is not a gunshot. I never hate the friendly Italian at the cafe I go to.
J’ai l’impression que ZZ sourit à Materazzi avant de lui donner le coup de tête. Illusion ? Ou l’image est-elle trompeuse ?
LikeZidane.com displays the act of the World Cup of Soccer Headbutt heard around the world by French player Zinedine Zidane on Italian player Macro Materazzi.
The site contains comical and real media, videos, files, games, and more on the event.
Miss France can do it too, see it here:
http://files.ww.com/files/20471.html
Is anyone still here? I have a couple of questions;I stumbled across while researching for a project for French. Anyway, respond soon?
Best,
K
K,
What can we help you with?
[...] –IP 203.208.88.138, comment, July 2006 [link] Wow! You guys like to throw the insults….please don’t insult me as you did the last female opinion. [...]
I hate u
You say you were hoping he could finish his career on a good note but “not anymore”… I hope you realize by now this wasn’t the only time he did this to someone.