Oh, Zizou!
The village went to bed earlier than planned last night, as our 2006 World Cup Dreams ended on a missed penalty kick. The consensus seems to be: why not just toss a coin at that stage? Apparently, that's how this was decided in the past. It makes just about as much sense in the long run.
But, what everyone is wondering is: What did Materazzi say to Zidane to get that reaction? And, how could Zizou react that way, no matter what it was?
This hightlights one of the ugly truths about football these days; there's a lot of racism both amongst the players and the fans. Personally, I find it not only hard to believe but revolting. Surely we're supposed to have moved on from that in our new "small world" where everyone goes everywhere and the color of your skin is less important than the content of your character (paraphrasing the great Dr. King)? Obviously, however, I am wrong.
Incidents at matches of fans throwing bananas on the field, making monkey noises and doing other odious things are rampant. According to friends who follow the sport more closely, the Rome club (where Materazzi plays) is known for this as well as for fans giving the fascist salute from the stands. The players have also contributed to the racial slurs.
Thus, I'm sure that what was said on the field was vile. Perhaps Zizou felt that this was his last chance to get his own back, as he was retiring at the end of the game. Still, what a shame that that is one of the final images we will see of him and one which will remain forever in our minds.
I've always lived in big cities until now. I grew up seeing faces of all different colors, with friends who came from many different backgrounds. I had my own incident of learning that I was from a religious minority when I was a small child; it's something that has never left me.
Perhaps because of that, I've always tried to be careful to not judge anyone by the external signs of race or religion.
Deep down, I suppose that all human beings are somewhat racist. It's probably hard not to be, as nature makes all animals protectionist of their own particular group or pack. But we, as thinking beings, are supposed to move beyond that and be enlightened.
I guess that the football pitch is one of those places where enlightenment takes a back seat to our darker side. What a shame for us all.
Ciao for now.
Randy
But, what everyone is wondering is: What did Materazzi say to Zidane to get that reaction? And, how could Zizou react that way, no matter what it was?
This hightlights one of the ugly truths about football these days; there's a lot of racism both amongst the players and the fans. Personally, I find it not only hard to believe but revolting. Surely we're supposed to have moved on from that in our new "small world" where everyone goes everywhere and the color of your skin is less important than the content of your character (paraphrasing the great Dr. King)? Obviously, however, I am wrong.
Incidents at matches of fans throwing bananas on the field, making monkey noises and doing other odious things are rampant. According to friends who follow the sport more closely, the Rome club (where Materazzi plays) is known for this as well as for fans giving the fascist salute from the stands. The players have also contributed to the racial slurs.
Thus, I'm sure that what was said on the field was vile. Perhaps Zizou felt that this was his last chance to get his own back, as he was retiring at the end of the game. Still, what a shame that that is one of the final images we will see of him and one which will remain forever in our minds.
I've always lived in big cities until now. I grew up seeing faces of all different colors, with friends who came from many different backgrounds. I had my own incident of learning that I was from a religious minority when I was a small child; it's something that has never left me.
Perhaps because of that, I've always tried to be careful to not judge anyone by the external signs of race or religion.
Deep down, I suppose that all human beings are somewhat racist. It's probably hard not to be, as nature makes all animals protectionist of their own particular group or pack. But we, as thinking beings, are supposed to move beyond that and be enlightened.
I guess that the football pitch is one of those places where enlightenment takes a back seat to our darker side. What a shame for us all.
Ciao for now.
Randy
5 Comments:
It's still a damned shame.
I'm a fairly new football fan in the U.S., but I watched the World Cup Final. Almost had to -- my sister's lived in France for better then 8 years now. :)
Zidane should have just plain known better. What Materazzi said was probably pretty vile, but he was on the field in a World Cup Final. Kick his rear end if you must AFTER the game, but that one headbutt didn't just cost him -- it probably cost the team the game. Think Zidane would have missed that penalty shot?
I just don't have that much sympathy for him. A rookie might have lost his cool and booted Materazzi across the pitch, but he should have known better.
By ArchTeryx, At 12:37 AM
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but we've had internet troubles all day.
While I agree that he shouldn't have head-butted Materazzi, if the various rumors of what was said are true, I can really understand it and I am sympathetic to Zidane's reaction.
Apparently he's going to report what was said, so that will lay any rumors to rest.
Perhaps it's not a bad thing to bring some of the racism in soccer out into the open a little more...
R
By Randy, At 5:21 PM
Randy, you see the Altman movie 'MASH'? Pretty funny scene:
Cpl. Judson: Bastard, 88, called me a coon.
Spearchucker: Called you a what?
Cpl. Judson: Coon.
Spearchucker: OK, that's an old pro trick, to get you thrown out of the ball game.
Cpl. Judson: Well...
Spearchucker: Why don't you do the same thing to him?
Cpl. Judson: What, call him a coon?
then 'Spearchucker' tells 'Cpl. Judson' to say something lewd about the opposing white players sister. The redneck goes berserk and gets thrown out of the game. You bet your booty, you laughed!
Zidane gets paid gazillions to control his reactions. Materazzi is the man of the match for 1/ scoring and 2/ getting 'Zizou's' goat.
ciao, Tom Dollard in bell'Italia
By Tom Dollard, At 10:39 PM
The 2006 world cup will remember France as the better team and at least a member of the Italian team as being a racist.
It is convenient to claim that Mr.Zidane action was unacceptable, but was it?
We have in the USA strong laws protecting workers against discrimination as well as sexual harassment.
Do they really work?
It looks to me that regardless of how we feel about how Mr.Zidane chose to respond to Mr.Materazzi, the verbal aggression called for a red card first.
I find it surprising that FIFA in 2006 claims to be against racism but would ignore and dismiss an incident of such importance.
The sending off of Mr.Zidane is the proof that on the soccer field as well as in the work place and in society, the real law breakers remain often unpunished and free to diminish us all.
Mr.Materazzi unwelcome words to Mr.Zidane are revolting and an unacceptable racial act.
Failing to act upon such display of bigotry is an insult to all of us and Mr.Materazzi should be sanctioned.
Only then can we claim that Mr.Zidane's reaction was not acceptable and sanction him as well.
Mr.Zidane lone response is a clear and loud message that in life, respect and dignity are more important that a trophy .
By Ralph, At 8:40 AM
In response to Tom: Yes, perhaps it's the oldest trick in the book, but depending on what was said and how it was said, I can certainly understand the reaction.
After all, Zidane was in pain, his mother appears to be seriously ill, so that was certainly on his mind, and I believe Materazzi had been taunting him throughout the game, so maybe he just had enough?
At any rate, I will be interested to hear what he says about the incident tonight.
R
By Randy, At 11:37 AM
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