The most ridiculous way to end a football career? | NowPublic News Coverage

The most ridiculous way to end a football career?

by AlanEvans | July 9, 2006 at 03:11 pm

1774 views | 0 Recommendations | 8 comments

Everyone knew it was to be the last game of Zinedine Zidane's dazzling career, and he had the chance to make it a memorable one for good reasons instead of the shameful exit for which he opted.

A seemingly unprovoked headbutt attack on Marco Materazzi saw him sent off in with 10 minutes left to play in extra time, leaving France without their most secure player for the ensuing penalty shoot-out. Any sympathy one could have had for the French team dissolved immediately, leaving a bitter taste for the rest of the game.

French president Jaques Chirac, who was present at the game, had this to say: "I don't know what happened, why he was punished. But I would like to express all the respect that I have for a man who represents at the same time all the most beautiful values of sport, the greatest human qualities one can imagine, and who has honoured French sport and, simply, France."

Nice one Jaques, good to see you sticking to your usual honest policy ...

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Golden Goal

at 18:08 on July 9th, 2006

Shameful, yes, but definitely provoked.... There were rumors that Materazzi called him a 'terrorist'. Still, you would have thought that the French captain would keep his cool better than he did. It would be a pity if he's remembered for this and not for the football...

YourTeacher

at 01:38 on July 10th, 2006

I definitely want to know what Marco Materazzi said, if only because then I might be able to shout "potty mouth" every time he plays in the future. However, that said, Zidane was born in 1972 not 2002 and I for one learned in the school playground the nursery rhyme - "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". He might have been Christian Dior's first male model, but he's not a good role model, I really don't think this is the sort of example he would want to set Enzo and Luca (his children).

It may have been a great night for Italy, but it was a sad night for football.

YourTeacher

at 06:22 on July 10th, 2006

Someone has told me what it was that Materazzi said:-

Materazzi: " Do you know a cure for hiccups?"

Zidane: "Try this!"

:-)

Troy

at 10:07 on July 10th, 2006

"A seemingly unprovoked headbutt attack" This is a funny one..

I would like to know what really happened before commenting on this issue..

I
personally think France deserve the world cup more than Italy, after
seeing how Italy(11 players+ referee) played with US... By the way I
would like to remind you guys that Italy played a very bloody game with
US...US with 9 players was way better team than Italy..

Troy

at 10:10 on July 10th, 2006

Text beinf spread thru the net:
Zidane : Ordinanza di tirare il costume!!
/ Stop pulling my shirt!
>
>
>
>Materazzi : Taciti,
enculo, hai solamente cio che merite... / Shut up butt ficked one, you are only
getting what you deserve...
>
>
>
>Zidane : Si e cio...
/ Yeah, that's it....
>
>
>
>Zidane walks away but the
italian player continues
>
>
>Materazzi : Meritate tutti ciò,
voi gli enculato di musulmani, sporchi
>terroristici / You all desrve it,
you butt fucked Muslims are all dirty terroristes

That is when Zidane returns and head butts hum.

Troy

at 10:17 on July 10th, 2006

Who buys the following statement...I guess Materazzi forgot the fact that He played in UK for EvErton FC...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

blasco

at 13:43 on July 10th, 2006

Entradas de Materazzi

Qui est ridicule ?

Spy to die 4

at 02:11 on July 11th, 2006

Out of all the phases in his football history he chose to reply to this one in the finals? I am sure footballers say things to each other all the time. True? One would have though that they develop thick skin during all these contests. I think he is a person that doesn't care whether his action have any serious sideffects. Who can blame him? He is only just a human after all.
So I don't say he shouldn't but obviously he puts the self higher the the team.That is what he showed to the world.