Zidane sending off...

[Dodge]

Is there an actual rule though, or do they just not do it? Not stirring btw, genuinely want to know

Oh and yeah, Zidane's retired from all football.

[OwlsFan]

I reckon after his nip*le was pinched, the conversation went on to a salacious nature where ZZ's girlfriend, wife or whatever came into the discussion with perhaps a racial slur (what is ZZ's background ?) thrown in for good measure.

[lofty9]

ZZ - My footballing hero and now a legend. There is nothing wrong with having a bit of a nasty streak in you as a footballer, but his reaction last night was OTT. If that butt had've smashed into the Italian's face he would have needed ongoing surgery for the next year. It was a very violent and sad way to 'bow' out. Imagine how he feels today, he must be sick to his stomach. I doubt even if France had won the competition that he would have come out to celebrate or even lift the trophy, such was the nature of the red card.

[nedder]

Is there an actual rule though, or do they just not do it? Not stirring btw, genuinely want to know

Oh and yeah, Zidane's retired from all football.

Can't find an actual rule! But the point is they either use video replays or they don't. If they had of used them throughout the game, don't think the French penalty would have been given. Also the Figo headbutt earlier in the tournament? why wasn't he sent off on the basis of replays?


I think if it was the case that replay footage was used, its going to signal the start of using replays for a number of decisions.

[Dodge]

FIFA have stated no replays were used

[Junior]

i won't but anyway. materazzi pinched his nips, said a few things, i'm sure we'll get professional lip readers to tell us 'what' before long. materazzi's dive from the headbutt itself was pathetic, but that won't get covered by the media.

I thought the butt was pretty vicious tbh, not much play acting at all from Materazzi IMO. If it was a dive, Im sure the media would be covering it, they've made plenty of comments about diving over the course fo the WC and would revel in highlighting the fact that Materazzi and helped get Zizou sent off. They didn't.

no way should the french blame him. henry largely invisible. french actually beaten by two legit goals to one anyway.

Toni's header was offside, marginal yes, but offside nonetheless.

[Dodge]

I don't think it was offside. Strange that not one replay was shown during the game

[micls]

I don't think it was offside. Strange that not one replay was shown during the game

What channel was that. Watched it on BBC and showed a few replays showing it was definately offside...French stepped up and all 3 Italians were offside when the ball was played

[Junior]

I don't think it was offside. Strange that not one replay was shown during the game

BBC showed it a half time or full time can't remember which. Freeze frame looks to show all 3 italians offside. It was tight though.

[lofty9]

BBC showed it a half time or full time can't remember which. Freeze frame looks to show all 3 italians offside. It was tight though.

But Toni wasn't offside if that makes a difference?

[Junior]

Toni was one of the 3 - he was offside.

[micls]

But Toni wasn't offside if that makes a difference?

He was....and i would say the others were interfering with play even if he wasnt

[Jerry The Saint]

FIFA have stated no replays were used

The obvious response is "Well, they would say that wouldn't they".

I do think people are jumping to conclusions without knowing for sure whether the linesman saw it happen himself. Firstly, it's important to remember that the linesman is miked up and in communication with the ref so he doesn't need to wave his flag madly or make a public declaration that he's informing the ref. He can just calmly tell him 'Zidane just threw a loaf'.

Second-of-ly, look at how Elizondo handled the Rooney sending-off. The English conspiracy theorists claim that the ref was going to take no action until C. Ronaldo made the case for the prosecution. My take on both sendings off is that this ref waits until things have calmed down before taking action, instead of blazing in waving cards around and risking inflaming the situation.

[nedder]

As mentioned before both Domenech and Lippi have stated that the fourth official looked at a monitor on the sideline. Did they just make up the fact that a monitor was there? If they don't use replays then why is the monitor there at all?

[Dodge]

http://www.football365.com/news/story_188410.shtml

And Domenech though Materazzi was diving FFS so he's hardly an unbiased judge

[osarusan]

As mentioned before both Domenech and Lippi have stated that the fourth official looked at a monitor on the sideline. Did they just make up the fact that a monitor was there? If they don't use replays then why is the monitor there at all?

There is a differnce between just looking at a monitor and actually informing the referee.

But I agree with you that this needs to be cleared up quickly, because if TV evidence was used, it must be used for all incidents, and you cant just pick and choose what you tell the referee.

[NeilMcD]

Its the 5th official that has the monitor and the 4th official does not. It was the 4th official that contacted the referee.

[osarusan]

Fifa's story here..............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ce/5164616.stm

[WeAreRovers]

From what I could see the total legend that is Gianluigi Buffon went over to the linesman and reminded him that he had seen the incident and should inform the referee. The linesman and the ref then consulted together and Zizou was sent off.

Mind you I was very busy jumping up and down and laughing at Zizou that I may have that wrong.

KOH

PS Marco Materazzi is my hero. What a man, scores equaliser, gets Zidane sent-off, converts penalty and has the best Marx Bros style comedy Italian face ever! Forza Italia!!

[lopez]

...Of course it matters what Materazzi said to Zidane. Materazzi is well known for unprofessional antics as well. The whole French team, in particular, have been subjected to terrible racism back in France. If Materazzi said a racist comment, then it is easier to understand why Zidane reacted unprofessionally, like any hot tempered red blooded man would have. Who knows, Zidane could soon be endorsing "lets stamp racism out of football", literally. I cant wait to hear more about the incident, as I say, if it was racist, I for one would have probably said or done something as well...

Flea, you spoilt what is an otherwise excellent post. Being racially abused doesn't make his actions any more acceptable or understandable than if Materazzi called him spam-head. If I nutted someone everytime I heard a racist comment in my presence about the Irish, I'd be doing more time in British jails than Mad Frankie Fraser. Paddy, cr*p 'Irish' jokes, using Irish as a adjective for stupidity, 'are you in the IRA?', and a general acceptance that the Irish in Britain are great sorts because (and they generally do) put up with this sh*t, unlike those more sensitive darkies.

Perhaps you think I'm exaggerating, but why should say you or I put up with this abuse and Zidane not. Because we're white? Because we're now one of the richest nations in the world, both culturally and financially? Or that we're Irish, and we're those great sorts that I've mentioned above. Because take it from me, it hurts (especially as a child, which again Zidane isn't) just as much as any other form of racism.

Zidane's last act on the field was to get sent off for a vicious head butt. It's hardly surprising that that's a lot of people's significant memory of him.