Materazzi suspended for attacking Zidane's head with chest

[Jerry The Saint]

http://football365.com/news/story_189118.shtml

2-game ban for The Matrix; 3-game ban for assault by retired footballer Zinedine Zidane.

"In both of the players statements, the two players expressed regret over the incidents and presented their excuses to FIFA and the football community over what had happened. They both stressed in statements that the verbal provocation was of an insulting nature but not - and I stress - of any racist nature."

So trial-by-media gets the verdict wrong yet again. Materazzi has a right to be very p!ssed-off with some of the "expert lipreaders".

Presumably FIFA will now be putting microphones on all players so that they can be punished for saying naughty rude things to their opponents.

[Dodge]

I pray Zidane tells them to shove his fine up their ass. 3 game ban....

[FarBeag]

Apparently he will serve three days community service coaching youngsters. I hope its about heading the ball not fellow players.

[Sandro]

Simply ridicolous, this is FIFA fairplay.

"Players like Materazzi shouldn't even exist, they are the cancer of football" (L. Thuram)

"I am disgusted at what I've heard, if Materazzi said that (what? by the way) I want his testicles on my plate" (Malika Zidane, mother of Zinedine)

"I know Materazzi quite well, I am sure Zidane did the right thing" (David Trezeguet)

"I want to destroy his face" (William Gallas)

What if an Italian say such words to a black coloured French? Shall we all die politically correct?

www.difendiamomaterazzi.it

[seand]

An absolute joke. Trial by press.

Surely now in the interest of fairness they'll have to investigate whether Brian McBride said anything nasty to DeRossi before DeRossi clattered him... and every other victim of a head-butt, elbow or over-the-top challenge will have to be investigated.

Without wanting to be crass this is the equivalent of locking up a rape victim for wearing a mini-skirt and leading a guy on.

[pete]

Crazy decision by FIFA as the media have kept this non-story going for over a week now.

If they are suspending Materazzi then what sort of precedent does this set? Where does this lead?

[NeilMcD]

Yeah total disgrace in my view.

[londonirish17]

These things (insults) occur on a regular basis, even at lower levels week in, week out... Insults shouldn't be part of any football game. Zidane's behaviour is unacceptable specially knowing that he has an icon status in France. Millions of young kids witnessed his foolish act. Knowing that public opinion(+media) supports his reaction is even more shocking! Materazzi has quite a bad reputation in Italy and he is known for being a provocative lad. Having played many years in Italy Zidane should have known this.
No excuse !
Why did he get a match suspension knowing his career was over? Ridiculous

[ccfcman]

Zidane is a Marseilles street punk so this behavious isn't an enormous shock according to some, it would however, seem madness from a man of his age however to do this unprovoked, Materazzi must have had said something in fairness :/

[Sandro]

I am not particularly concerned with what happened on the field, that won't make of Zidane a better or worse man because it's true, these things happen on a regular basis and always will. What happened later was a real disgrace, though. Zidane should have call and talk to Materazzi like men do, not call media coverage and look for alibi and accomplice. The worst way to finish a honorable career

[Donadoni]

Rewind and lets just say that Materazzi said whatever he said but Zidane decided not to headbutt him. Would Materazzi still get a 2 match ban, afterall he didn't do anything different; or is it effectively Zidane who by butting has ensured Materazzi is suspended. I don't know this sets all sorts precedents.