The 2006 World Cup: Zidane, the head butter
The world press was agog over Zinedin Zidane, of the French team, butting Marco Materazzi, of the Italian team, in the chest with his head in the soccer World Cup championship game last Sunday in Berlin. The main question was: why did Zidane do it? Why, when this was to be his last game and he was about to retire in a blaze of glory? Instead, for his act he was ignominiously banished for the game with a red card and, arguably, a factor in the French team’s losing to Italy (had he stayed in, he would undoubtedly have been one of France’s kickers during the penalty kicks to break the 1-1 tie and, based on his prior kicking record, would probably have made his kick).
Commentary on the event wasn’t limited to the press–other notables and individuals had something to say:
French president Jacques Chirac: I don’t know what happened and for what reason he was disciplined. But I would like to tell of the esteem that I have for a man who has exemplified at the same time the beauty of sport, the greatest human qualities and who brought honor to French sport and great honor to France. (1)
Ehoud Olmert, Israeli prime minister: The match pit two friends together...I particularly admired the quality of the strikers. Unfortunately, there was the deplorable head blow by Zidane...I was touched by the joy of the Italians in Rome (after their victory). (1)
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, president of Algeria, who said he sent a personal letter to Zidane "to express my...friendship to Zidane and to give him some comfort" (Zidane was born in France of Algerian immigrant parents): He was a demi-god of the World Cup, but five minutes later he became something that sportsmen should shy away from.(The British newspaper The Independent 7/10/06)
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Green party in the European parliament and "a great football fan": Zidane certainly lost it from provocation..Those who say "at that level one must keep control of his nerves" are correct , but at the same time (football) is the entire life of this young man who came from a modest background and has fought all his life...For one for whom life has been one of combat there are moments when he loses it. (1)
Raymond Domenech, coach of the French team: When one "takes it" as he did for 1 hour and 20 minutes and the referee lets things go on, it (Zidane’s act) is understandable. It’s not excusable, but it’s understandable. (2) He’ll carry that weight for a long time. (3)
Marcello Lippi, coach of the Italian team: I am disappointed in Zidane because I have held him in high esteem. I told him so before the match...It’s a shame that he went out that way. Materazzi told me that he didn’t say anything. (2)
Marie-George Buffet, former French sports minister, said "Zidane’s aggressive act was unforgivable for its effect on children watching the game." (4)
Giuseppe Materazzi, father of Marco Materazzi: (H)e told me (in a telephone conversation) that he (Marco) had been provoked by the captain of the French team (Zidane). (2)
(1) Article "Tempête sur un crâne" (Tempest over a skull) from the French newspaper Le Figaro 7/10/06
(2) Article "Pourquoi Zinédine Zidane est-il sorti de ses gonds?" (Why did Zinédine Zidane become unhinged?") from the French newspaper Nouvel Observateur 7/10/06
(The above translations from the original text of the above French newspapers are mine.)
(3) Associated Press article "The Zidane Mystery: What Set Him Off?" from the Washington Post 7/10/06
(4) Paraphrasing of Mr. Buffet’s comment in the above Washington Post article
Sports writers and columnists around the world had their say:
His farewell match seemed set for a fairytale ending...(but) the fairytale transformed into one of horror as he wheeled around on Marco Materazzi after the Italian to say something to him and headbutted him in the chest. (The Times of India 7/10/06)
This morning, Zinedin, what do we tell our children, and all those for whom you were the living role model for all times? (The French sports daily L’Equipe, as reported in the Associated Press article cited above)
The red card brought an undistinguished end to Zidane’s glittering career but he has received much support in France. (The Independent, cited above)
Why did he do it? Speculation is all over the place.
The goofiest one I have seen was reported in the French newspaper Le Figaro on 7/10/06: It seems that the Brazilian TV station Globo reported that it engaged several experts in lip-reading to tell what Materazzi may have said to Zidane just prior to the incident; these experts said that he called Zidane’s sister a prostitute, and had done so previously. (Another "expert" said the remark was about his mother.) Brazilians reading the lips of a man on the field, presumably speaking in Italian, is indeed a wonder (TV close-ups of the men’s faces were only a few seconds).
Another version is that Materazzi called him a "terrorist." That was in the Associated Press article cited above, which was picked up by several Bristish and U.S. newspapers.
The "terrorist" epithet was assumed by a French organization SOS Racisme to have been what was said or, it added, it may have been "sale algérien" (dirty Algerian).
Materrazi was quoted in the Associated Press article as saying, "It is absolutely not true, I didn’t call him a terrorist. I don’t know anything about that."
Zidane’s agent, one Alain Migliaccio, was quoted by the BBC as saying that Zidane told him that Materazzi "said something very serious to him, but he wouldn’t tell me what."
It sounds a lot like the "trash talk" that U.S. National Football League linemen carry on with their opponents.
His agent is reported to have said that Zidane will tell what happened–he didn’t say when. "He (Zidane) was very disappointed and sad. He doesn’t want things to end that way," the agent added, to which Le Figaro added, Nous non plus (We don’t either.)
Even with his humiliation, Zidane was awarded the trophy as the best player of the 2006 World Cup. Also, it seems that French fans have not ben very harsh on him–he was seen on BBC television after the games were over waving and giving a "thumbs up" from a balcony of the Élysée (the residence of the French president) to a cheering crowd.
The Latest News
The latest news, just out today (7/12) is from the "ESPN Soccernet" website. It ran an article with the heading "Zidane: Materazzi insulted my mother and sister."
"I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it," Zidane told Canal Plus. "I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said."
Spiritual Benefit from Soccer
Well, even with all the contention over l’affaire Zidane there is a spiritual benefit from soccer. Or, so the website www.jesusandtheworldcup.com tells us:
The World Cup is the world's biggest event for the world's most popular sport. When your team wins, you can feel great; when your team loses, you can feel terrible. It's what makes soccer exciting -- some years your team does great, other years it may be a real struggle. If soccer is your source of happiness, then your life can go up and down.
There is just one source of peace and joy that doesn't change -- and that is God. Having a personal relationship with God can give you true peace no matter what happens on the soccer field. Here are 4 key steps you can take to begin a personal relationship with God.
The message goes on to list the four steps and provide commentary about them.
Commentary on the event wasn’t limited to the press–other notables and individuals had something to say:
French president Jacques Chirac: I don’t know what happened and for what reason he was disciplined. But I would like to tell of the esteem that I have for a man who has exemplified at the same time the beauty of sport, the greatest human qualities and who brought honor to French sport and great honor to France. (1)
Ehoud Olmert, Israeli prime minister: The match pit two friends together...I particularly admired the quality of the strikers. Unfortunately, there was the deplorable head blow by Zidane...I was touched by the joy of the Italians in Rome (after their victory). (1)
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, president of Algeria, who said he sent a personal letter to Zidane "to express my...friendship to Zidane and to give him some comfort" (Zidane was born in France of Algerian immigrant parents): He was a demi-god of the World Cup, but five minutes later he became something that sportsmen should shy away from.(The British newspaper The Independent 7/10/06)
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Green party in the European parliament and "a great football fan": Zidane certainly lost it from provocation..Those who say "at that level one must keep control of his nerves" are correct , but at the same time (football) is the entire life of this young man who came from a modest background and has fought all his life...For one for whom life has been one of combat there are moments when he loses it. (1)
Raymond Domenech, coach of the French team: When one "takes it" as he did for 1 hour and 20 minutes and the referee lets things go on, it (Zidane’s act) is understandable. It’s not excusable, but it’s understandable. (2) He’ll carry that weight for a long time. (3)
Marcello Lippi, coach of the Italian team: I am disappointed in Zidane because I have held him in high esteem. I told him so before the match...It’s a shame that he went out that way. Materazzi told me that he didn’t say anything. (2)
Marie-George Buffet, former French sports minister, said "Zidane’s aggressive act was unforgivable for its effect on children watching the game." (4)
Giuseppe Materazzi, father of Marco Materazzi: (H)e told me (in a telephone conversation) that he (Marco) had been provoked by the captain of the French team (Zidane). (2)
(1) Article "Tempête sur un crâne" (Tempest over a skull) from the French newspaper Le Figaro 7/10/06
(2) Article "Pourquoi Zinédine Zidane est-il sorti de ses gonds?" (Why did Zinédine Zidane become unhinged?") from the French newspaper Nouvel Observateur 7/10/06
(The above translations from the original text of the above French newspapers are mine.)
(3) Associated Press article "The Zidane Mystery: What Set Him Off?" from the Washington Post 7/10/06
(4) Paraphrasing of Mr. Buffet’s comment in the above Washington Post article
Sports writers and columnists around the world had their say:
His farewell match seemed set for a fairytale ending...(but) the fairytale transformed into one of horror as he wheeled around on Marco Materazzi after the Italian to say something to him and headbutted him in the chest. (The Times of India 7/10/06)
This morning, Zinedin, what do we tell our children, and all those for whom you were the living role model for all times? (The French sports daily L’Equipe, as reported in the Associated Press article cited above)
The red card brought an undistinguished end to Zidane’s glittering career but he has received much support in France. (The Independent, cited above)
Why did he do it? Speculation is all over the place.
The goofiest one I have seen was reported in the French newspaper Le Figaro on 7/10/06: It seems that the Brazilian TV station Globo reported that it engaged several experts in lip-reading to tell what Materazzi may have said to Zidane just prior to the incident; these experts said that he called Zidane’s sister a prostitute, and had done so previously. (Another "expert" said the remark was about his mother.) Brazilians reading the lips of a man on the field, presumably speaking in Italian, is indeed a wonder (TV close-ups of the men’s faces were only a few seconds).
Another version is that Materazzi called him a "terrorist." That was in the Associated Press article cited above, which was picked up by several Bristish and U.S. newspapers.
The "terrorist" epithet was assumed by a French organization SOS Racisme to have been what was said or, it added, it may have been "sale algérien" (dirty Algerian).
Materrazi was quoted in the Associated Press article as saying, "It is absolutely not true, I didn’t call him a terrorist. I don’t know anything about that."
Zidane’s agent, one Alain Migliaccio, was quoted by the BBC as saying that Zidane told him that Materazzi "said something very serious to him, but he wouldn’t tell me what."
It sounds a lot like the "trash talk" that U.S. National Football League linemen carry on with their opponents.
His agent is reported to have said that Zidane will tell what happened–he didn’t say when. "He (Zidane) was very disappointed and sad. He doesn’t want things to end that way," the agent added, to which Le Figaro added, Nous non plus (We don’t either.)
Even with his humiliation, Zidane was awarded the trophy as the best player of the 2006 World Cup. Also, it seems that French fans have not ben very harsh on him–he was seen on BBC television after the games were over waving and giving a "thumbs up" from a balcony of the Élysée (the residence of the French president) to a cheering crowd.
The Latest News
The latest news, just out today (7/12) is from the "ESPN Soccernet" website. It ran an article with the heading "Zidane: Materazzi insulted my mother and sister."
"I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it," Zidane told Canal Plus. "I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he (Materazzi) was right to say what he said."
Spiritual Benefit from Soccer
Well, even with all the contention over l’affaire Zidane there is a spiritual benefit from soccer. Or, so the website www.jesusandtheworldcup.com tells us:
The World Cup is the world's biggest event for the world's most popular sport. When your team wins, you can feel great; when your team loses, you can feel terrible. It's what makes soccer exciting -- some years your team does great, other years it may be a real struggle. If soccer is your source of happiness, then your life can go up and down.
There is just one source of peace and joy that doesn't change -- and that is God. Having a personal relationship with God can give you true peace no matter what happens on the soccer field. Here are 4 key steps you can take to begin a personal relationship with God.
The message goes on to list the four steps and provide commentary about them.
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