My source in Italy tells me that Materazzi is alleged to have called Zidane "a terrorist."
Bear in mind that many people prefer their Italian sources thick with a pinch of salt, but this is what I was told.
Is the 5th official miked up as well, or is he merely an observer?Originally Posted by NeilMcD
My source in Italy tells me that Materazzi is alleged to have called Zidane "a terrorist."
Bear in mind that many people prefer their Italian sources thick with a pinch of salt, but this is what I was told.
A leading authority on League of Ireland football since 2003. You're probably wrong.
Now my source on this is somebody who works in Lithuanian news agency (so make of that what you will), but I have also heard Mattarazzi called Zidane a “terrorist” and followed it up with an Arabic slur.
It was one of the most astonishing things I have seen on a football field, made all the stranger watching it in a packed pub here in Paris. You could literally feel the good vibe that has engulfed this country over the last few weeks being sucked out in one moment. This World Cup has been more about Zidane than the French team for the French people. Everybody has been singing this stupid “"Zidane y va marqué!!!!” song - must have heard it in work AT LEAST 30 times this weekend, and every time his face appeared on screen last night there were massive roars.
You could really see everyone reaching for a reason to defend him last night but each replay brought more and more wincing.
When he was walking off last night, some were applauding him, a couple were deriding his idiotic act, most were just shaking their heads in disbelief.
Up until that moment I thought France were going to win it, I think most people in the pub felt the same, but everything changed with the red card, it was like the night had already been ruined and the penalties didn’t seem to matter that much,
Psychologically it all must have effected the French team too.
It looked like Zidane was going to go out on such a great high (I actually thought he was very good again last night), even if they had lost, it would have been such a heroic exit.
This really will tarnish his legacy somewhat.
Zidane lost a bit of it in translations. Materazzi said "Zizou, you are terrorising us" talking about Zidane's trickery against the Italian defence (On the pics you can see Zidane laugh) As they're walking away Zidane turns and said "Wait!? Did you just call me a terrorist". Materazzi, in true Munty Pythin stle said "yeah, I mean N" - THWACK!!!!! He's on his arse before he can correct himself.
At least that’s what my sources tell me
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Very sad I thought. He was the most creative influence on the tournament. Some of the pompous hand wringing going on here would put Garth Crooks to shame. I suppose you either like watchin football the way it should be played or you just are a moany oul **** with deep personal anger issues that you project on to insignificant events in order to avoid having to confront the gaping hole of nothingness that is your life. I like Zidane myself.
Does it matter what he said really ? If we butted someone every time we were insulted, life wouldn't be worth living. Thank God he didn't go for the face otherwise Materazzi would now be a toothless wonder.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
Surprised that some on here have agreed with the over-reaction greeting Zidane's sending off. Not that he shouldn't have been. but the tabloids and the BBC saying that this has spoiled everything Zidane has done in his career is a bit much. Has anything Maradona ever done overshadowed his career? Remember in 94 when people were saying all he'd be remembered for was his drugs shame, yet here we are 12 years later and no-one even mentions it anymore. Loved the hypocritical BBC saying that a violent act always deserves a straight red, just a week after crying their eyes out at Rooney being sent off for just such a thing, absolute muppets.
On a personal note I think that at some stage what players are justified in saying to their fellow professionals will have to be reviewed. If the Notorious CHEAT that is a Materazzi did make an ethnic slur to Zidane than I feel the neadbutt was fully justified, hopefully we'll find out someday what was really said. Where's that Man Utd fan that could lip read Finnan mouthing off to Neville when you need him?
The funny thing about the Rooney sending off is that it was for the push on Ronaldo, or at least the referee didn't go for the card until after he does it.
It's fairly obvious Zidane lost it when he headbutted Materazzi because if he had been thinking and wanted to stick one on him he would have made sure Materazzi couldn't continue. Italy had used all three subs by that point hadn't they?
I realise that Zidane lost it, and trust me, I think he should have been given that red, I doubt that even his family would dispute that. But players making racial slurs at others (even if Materazzi didn't it happens), is just as bad, and in my book, much more disgraceful then throwing a head at the perpetrator.
And the point about the Beeb is that they got themselves into such a knot trying to explain how the push on Ronaldo was justified because of Ronalso trying to get him booked for his stamp, when if they'd only commentate to the laws of the game they'd realise that a push is equally as bad in the rulebook as a headbutt, and both warrant the red card
Any indications from your sources that Materazzi may have said "HEY TERRORIST! Terrorize this!".
SIGNATURESCOPE
Watch it again, the ref clearly makes a stamping motion and indicates thats why Rooney was sent off. How can people miss these things?
A significant memory from yesterday.
Maradona is remembered for more than the handball goal.
Cantona is remembered for more than kicking the Palace fan.
Roy Keane is remembered for more than walking out of Saipan.
Johann Cruyff is remembered for more than walking out of the World Cup.
Liam Brady is remembered for more than chinning the Bulgarian.
George Best is remembered for more than $hagging and boozing.
Pele is remembered for more than promoting erectile disfunction.
Time must pass before we can say what the significant memories really are, but great players are associated with more than one memory. Life just isn't that simple that one incident is attached to one person (unless your Mark David Chapman / Jack Ruby etc)
It's a poetically tragic end to a supreme career. A near unscriptable twist to end the tale.
Oddly enough, the comment piece in Sunday's Times almost predicted such an end...well worth a hindsight-tinted read if you can find it.
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The French seem to be sticking behind him according to news reports. Boumsong has said he apologised straight away after the match for losing his head, Henry said that all that should be sadi to Zidane now is thank you for being a great player, and Trezeguet has said that "Zidane can walk away with his head held high, whilst Materazzi with his cup winners medal should be hanging his for what he said. There is more to life than football". Interesting words from Trezeguet, maybe Zidane told him what was said
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whatever Materazzi said i think he should be given 2 medals
ZZ took the bait big style
why didnt he just nut him after the match
just pure tabloid crap!! + the disgraceful bias in the media (english) towards their team!
I would find it really sad if any true football fan ever believed there could be some circumstance where headbutting an opponent on the field of play would ever be justified.
Honest! I am not a secret Tim nor a closet Sham - I really am a Seagull.
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
Just a thought............he is about to have a book published....maybe his publisher had suggested an " outragous final act" to launch the sales into orbit!!...........or am I just a huge cynic??
Last edited by A face; 10/07/2006 at 2:30 PM.
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
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