what I am hearing from Radi France this morning is that they had someone who reads lips look at the video footage and what set Zidane off is being called "a terrorist".

The difference between being called "monkey" by the fans and this is that this is not being done by someone, another polayer, on the field.

A Brazilian TV station hired a professional lip reader...they claim Materazzi called Zidane's sister a prostitute.

Bottom line...whatever he says, doesn't warrent the headbutt in extra time of a World Cup Final. Run away and get back at him by winning the World Cup and winking at him.

I'm with Enigma. I'm tired of all the speculation about what may have been said to Zidane. It doesn't matter; nothing would justify the headbutt. Zidane needs to apologize to Matarazzi for the headbutt and to his French teammates and his fans for letting them down. And he needs to state in no uncertain terms that regardless of what was said, it did not justify his actions and ask that an end be put to all of the speculation.

It will be ironic if it turns out it was some sort of racist taunt that set Zidane off considering the FIFA theme for the entire World Cup was to fight racism.

It was a wild Sunday here in Toronto. Over 35,000 watched the game at Rogers Centre and there were two huge street parties once the game ended. In the original Little Italy over 25,000 hit the streets as soon as the game ended. The bigger party was in the newer centre of Italian life in Toronto up near St. Clair and Dufferin where some estimates were as high as 200,000 hit the street in celebration. Even at midnight, more than 6 hours after the party began there were more than 100,000 still out on the street partying according to Toronto police.

And in Canada the TV ratings for the final were excellent. On CTV - who did the English telecast the average rating for the game was almost 3 million viewers with viewership peaking at over 4 million during the shootout. And that is specifically only the English language ratings and would not include the sizeable French ratings or Italian and Spanish coverage that was available. It also does not include anybody who may have watched ABC's coverage.

Pat

I disagree. It DOES MATTER what was said and by whom.

this was a fellow athlete, another player on the field who either called someone a terrorist or a prostitute. There comes a point where winning a game (and that's all this is, a game) is less important than keeping your pride and honor. in short... keeping your manhood.

If Materazzi did taunt Zidane, I would help Zidane in headbutting him on his ass.

Naw.....if Zidane wanted to do what he did, he should have cooled off and waited til the game was done.

Then go find him in the locker room and rip said Italian guy's head off or whatever..or on some street corner....anywhere else than the biggest stage he's ever played on.

Nothing justifies a headbutt DURING the game. Zidane was not playing just for himself but for his team and he let them down. A lot of shit is said during a game but you need to keep your cool. I understand WANTING to headbutt but knowing it would likely mean ejection, he needed to just walk away.

I think taking into consideration the political/racial climate in France today; nearly a year after French-Arab youths set fire to property in cites all around France, if you are French of Algerian descent, being called a terrorist is a big deal - if that's what Materazzi called him. Even Beckenbauer believes he was provoked. No one knows what kind of racial taunts Zidane's been subjected to all his life and I'm telling you, blatant racism in Europe is more prevalent than in the US.
So, should he have controlled himself? Yes. Do I think there is justification for doing that in a World Cup Final on his last international/club game ever? Possibly, but he deserved the red card.

I'll also add this - Zidane came out of international retirement because France was on the verge of not qualifying for the World Cup last year. They lost to Israel in their group play. So even though he let down his teammates & manager, they would not have even been in Germany without him.

[ July 11, 2006, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: simontexas ]

Materazzi has admitted insulting Zidane but denies calling him a terrorist...

Gee, what anti-gay slur would an Italian player use against a French player? And which language would he say it in?

[ July 11, 2006, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: FireCharlieManuelNow ]

This is my argument to Soccer fans who critizes the use of a Kicker to win games in American football.

Way to go Italia! Great win.

>>>this was a fellow athlete, another player on the field who either called someone a terrorist or a prostitute. There comes a point where winning a game (and that's all this is, a game) is less important than keeping your pride and honor. in short... keeping your manhood.

This I'm not so sure about.

There was an indoor lacrosse game a few months ago (Colorado at Calgary, final game of the season). A fair amount was on the line: home playoff advantage and all that. It would appear Calgary decided to play it rough-n-tough - a good chunk of the game was spent a Calgary player in the penalty box. Colorado's coach told them not to fall into the trap - let them trash talk, let them shove you around - but don't go picking fights back.

The final score was Colorado 17, Calgary 7. Some Calgary fans gave a big razzing to Colorado, suggesting they change their name to the Turtles. But I doubt the Colorado team worried about it much - they've got a nice championship trophy to keep them company.

Even in my limited sports playing, I've been called a lot of things - they've dissed my parents, my family, my sexual choices, you name it. And not once have I felt the need to "defend my honor" or "show them I'm a man". Should I be ashamed of that? Am I to think that if I don't start swinging at the guy, people are going to think, "Hm - maybe his mother really IS a whore" or "Perhaps he really does rape children"? To me, it's just noise. It doesn't mean a thing.

LXN

Well, the whole thing is just stupid. Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest players ever. Marco Materazzi was a back-up defender for the Italians until Alessandro Nesta went down with an injury. Until this World Cup, Materazzi was good, but not spectacular. Zidane was phenomenal, especially in his previous two matches. If you ask me, all Zidane needed to do if Materazzi did insult his family is say, "Hey, at least people will remember me." That just builds Zidane's confidence and might even cause Materazzi to attack. Suddenly, it's Italy playing down and France potentially winning the World Cup.

Instead, Zidane acted like a fool, headbutted Materazzi, and was ejected. Nice work losing the World Cup, Zizou.

It's official: Bruce Arena will no longer be the coach of the US team.

My only question: what took so long?

~Adam

What do you guys think will happen to the US team from here?
Looking at what we have, i don't know if we'll win a world cup any time soon.

It's a matter of building a base. Great players come from great interest by gifted athletes in a sport. It is happening I think, but will take a little more time.

I think having a Zidane play here could do wonders for drawing attention to the sport, especially after the infamous headbutt. The conflict of cultures that is highlighted by Materrazi and Zidane's differing interpretations of what was said are about as topical as could possibly be for this nation right now.

As for anyone who wants a primer on all things Zidane, Real Madrid's profile is an excellent start. There is a great deal of depth to this guy. Much more than the "naive" headbutt would suggest.

I recently saw the trailer for the documentary, Once in a Lifetime: The extraordinary story of the New York Cosmos. One might recall, that no less than the great Pele played soccer in New York City, back in the 1970's heyday of soccer in America.

I also read an article recently that suggested that part of the reason for the lack of popularity in soccer in the US and Canada is that all the big name players (Beckham et. al.) are playing in Europe. As such, the North American league is more of a "minor league" and can't expect to compete with the "major league" sports like baseball, football, basketball and hockey--where the best players in the world play in the US. When the North American league is able to import the top players from Europe, then people will start playing more attention.

Yes but if the big name players only come to the U-S to play out the rest of their career, the MLS will be seen as a "retirement village" if you will.

Correct!

Like I said earlier, MLS is the "Shady Pines" of Pro soccer. (That's a "Golden Girls" reference. for those of you not familiar)

The US could do worse than serving as a "retirement village" for the likes of Zidane who has shown that those old legs can still put the World Champion team of Italy so far back on its heals that it has to resort to rough fouls and taunts to get rid of him before he has the chance to beat them in penalty kicks.

Zidane could bring a lot more than just skill to any team he plays. Again I think the biggest question mark is whether the US is ready for a Muslim athletic superstar. Of course there was Muhammad Ali but we all know what he went through and he was a convert, not born to it - and all the cultural baggage that it comes with.

On another related issue, the Zidane-Materrazi headbutt may have also diminished his standing among USA fans, who generally believe that any crime is ok as long as there is no "proof" - forget about it and play the game. That ethic is what has damaged Italian soccer. The blatant foul by de Rossi, incessant shirt-pulling in the USA-Italy game and dramatic flops that would put Hollywood to shame, are perhaps "legitimate" or "professional" to some, but I think they are conduct unbecoming that cloud the uniquely brilliant game of which the Italians are capable.

Anyone with enough money can send in an assassin to take out the opponents best player or buy the favors of a referee - as long as they don't get caught. How often that happens in USA sports is anyones guess. But it would corrupt any professional sport to the point of making it irrelevant to the name of "sport" and its role as a metaphor for life.

And as you all know I have a particular interest in the role of sport in life. wink

Former Brazilian Captain, Dunga, has been named head coach of Brazil.

Dunga led Brazil to the World Cup Title in 1994, and to the Finals in 1998.

i know i`m late, but here are my top DAMN hot guys from the tournament:

Lukas Podolski. man. Nothing more to say. mmm

Philip Degen (Switzerland). Nice, too bad we didn`t get to see you guys beat Ukraine.

Cristiano Ronaldo. I know i don`t have anything original to say, but those guys speak for themselves.

All good, but post World Cup I loved the pics of David Beckham in his white speedo diving from a yacht into the Mediterranean. I only wish they had photographed him getting out of the water,

David Beckham in white speedo

[ July 30, 2006, 07:44 AM: Message edited by: swiminbuff ]

Double your pleasure. He and twin brother David ® claim to be so close they think the same thoughts.

Imagine the possibilities, on or off the pitch. Personally I would find that a little too chummy.

Materazzi reveals all.

Or as much as we may ever know.