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Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin

July 10th, 2006 | By: Aaron | 70 Comments »

Clearly, it wasn’t supposed to end this way. Sure it would’ve been a fairy tale ending to an illustrious career if Zizou could’ve carried Les Bleus to victory, but who could’ve predicted a scenario as ugly and shameful as this. Sent off in the 110th minute of the match for an outrageously stupid headbutt to the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi, Zinedine Zidane wasn’t even on the pitch with his team to collect his runner-up medal after the Italians claimed football’s ultimate prize.

It will continue to be debated as to which one of the officials saw this act of violence - Elizondo, his near-side Assistant, the fourth, or perhaps even the fifth official - but to me it’s irrelevant. We ALL saw it. Nearly two billion of us. And for a man who many of us consider to be heroic in his sporting elegance and class, Zidane got what he deserved.

Maybe Materazzi deserved what he got too. We’ll probably never know what words were exchanged by the two players, but we’ll never forget Zidane’s reaction. And although there is some speculation that video replay was used to send off the French captain, the fact remains that he did what he did and was ultimately properly punished for his inexcusable actions.

Who knows, maybe this and many other controversial incidents will force FIFA’s hand to allow for the introduction of such technology to be employed on a very limited basis when tv replays are available. Perhaps by doing so it will eliminate much of the gamesmanship and controversy that often seems to surround virtually every football match.

Now, rather than dissect this match as I’ve done for so many throughout the tournament, I’d like to congratulate all of the referees and their assistants throughout the sixty-four game tournament. While some seemed more capable than others on any given day, each team of three was chosen from amongst the top referees in the world and all were eminently capable and qualified to be there. Sure, Ivanov will always be remembered as the guy who issued more cards than any other referee in a World Cup match, but his long and illustrious career likely includes hundreds if not thousands of other matches in which he has performed admirably (along with the teams).

Likewise, Uruguay’s much-criticized (by the American press primarily) Jorge Larrionda proved himself to be a referee of the highest quality and not a “quick draw McGraw” (as Marcelo Balboa called him) in matches when the players’ actions didn’t warrant strict punishment.

Sure, it’s always quite easy to blame the referee for poor decisions that affect the outcome of a game. But until the human factor is replaced by the precision accuracy of robots and machines, judgment calls will always come under scrutiny. And perhaps that’s yet another argument for limited use of replay technology when game-breaking decisions are made by referees. Maybe then we will be able to move just a little closer towards the perfection that we’ve all come to expect from people who must make split-second decisions hundreds of times throughout a ninety-minute match.

In real-time, it seemed absolutely undeniable that Materazzi had clipped Malouda in the penalty area in the 6th minute of the match. On replay, however, it was really difficult to tell. So just imagine trying to make that call when you only have one opportunity to get it right and it happens in a flash. I never was able to know for sure if Materazzi had gotten a piece of him or merely forced Malouda off the ball by angling into his path. But the point is this, Materazzi put himself in a position where the referee was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. By coming in recklessly and not playing the ball at all, whether or not he even made contact with Malouda is almost irrelevant. My guess is that even if replay technology were employed in this case that the penalty would still have been upheld. But again, I’m sure many of you will choose to disagree…and maybe that’s something we love about sport anyway - the controversy.

For me, Elizondo and his crew deserve plaudits not just for this match, but for the other four they officiated throughout the tournament as well. He proved himself to be an excellent communicator, in peak fitness, and someone who possesses the highest level of understanding of the game and its laws, including how they are to be applied.

It should be noted that before sending Zidane off in the 110th minute, Elizondo had only cautioned three other players - two of which occurred in the first twelve minutes of the match for reckless challenges and the third to Diarra in the 76th for dissent. The players came to play and Elizondo allowed this. Did I agree with every one of his decisions or non-decisions? Nope. But in the end, he proved that FIFA had made a wise decision to select him for a match with such gravity.

And likewise, the little-known (prior to the tournament) Toru Kamikawa, showed that FIFA had rewarded the Japanese ref for a job well done throughout his matches in Germany. Perhaps Germany’s 3 - 1 victory over Portugal in the third-place match will not be the last time we see him in a World Cup. If he’s young enough and maintains his fitness for the next four years, maybe we’ll see him in South Africa. And if he continues to show his command for the game, he might get his opporunity to work the final for years from now.

Finally, I want to thank Sean and Chris - the guys who created this website - for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the games. In a world where everyone cares passionately about the success of their team, I felt it was important to show a different perspective than what we might be used to. Because there is and will probably always continue to be a great deal of misunderstanding about the decisions and thinking behind the decisions that referees make, I wanted to help you, the football enthusiast, gain some insight into how a referee thinks, works, and metes judgment on the pitch.

I greatly appreciate all of you who’ve taken the time to read my posts and hope they have been of some value to you as well as providing you a modicum of entertainment too. For those of you who took the time to comment on my opinions, I thank very much for your thoughts whether you agreed with me or not. I simply enjoyed the ‘discussion’ and debate.

I apologize for not being able to always reply to every comment, however, as many of you know, I did take the time to provide lengthy responses to your questions when I had the time and/or inclination. Keeping up with the games, writing about them, and refereeing games in the evenings and on the weekends was an incredible challenge and not one that my girlfriend particularly enjoyed as it left very little time for the two of us. But now that Italy has lifted its fourth Jules Rimet trophy, maybe it’s time for us to return to living our normal lives once again.

It’s been my honor and pleasure to share this past month with you, and hopefully, we’ll have the opportunity to continue in some fashion in the future. Sean and Chris will likely be keeping me around to write for them and I look forward to providing you with more views from the middle in the months and years ahead.

Until next time…

peace,
ac

Tags: Horacio Elizondo, Referees, Toru Kamikawa, World Cup, Zinedine Zidane

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 70 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By bd | July 11th, 2006 at 3:50 pm

if you read any of my comments you would know that the murder of jesus has nothing to do with the fact that italy can never win a game cleanly there is always controversy and being as i am not a france fan it is neither here nor there i am a fan of football and the italians disgrace a great sport thats all

Posted from Spain

By bd | July 11th, 2006 at 3:53 pm

the decision against australia was a joke wou wouldnt give that in the 5th minute let alone the 93rd and zidanes offence was decided by a video playback equals against the rules that is the core matter here as stated again italy win due to strange circumstances

Posted from Spain

By Marco | July 11th, 2006 at 4:37 pm

hey BD … i think you are mad because spain are so pathetic in the WC and have never won a WC before and never even been in a final before .. so you and all of spain can feel the hurt and pain knowing that italy won the WC for the 4th time hahaha

Posted from Australia

By bd | July 11th, 2006 at 4:46 pm

ok dipshit how many times need i say i am not spanish but even if i was i would be prouder to have gone out with honour to a great team like france than to win the tournament through foul play and thats the truth what is a trophy without any glory tell me what is being champions without any honour it is an empty victory for italy but being italian i dont exprect you to understand anything about honour or glory i pity you i really do

Posted from Spain

By PAUL | July 11th, 2006 at 5:42 pm

The referees deserve a lot of credit for their passion and understanding of the game. Their physical conditioning must be as good as the players because they seem to be right on top of things at all times.

However, they are not infallible and do not see everything. There were many errors, (we all play armchair judges) and the “call” of the game is as varied as the individual ref.

It is time the FIFA embrace the 21st century in utilizing the multi camera/angles that video can provide.

There can be a video referee to consult as needed. His decision can supercede that of the referee on the field. Each team can be allowed a certain number of reviews per half. The referee should use the reference as he sees fit.

This can only improve the quality of the game and discourage some of the rough and improper game tactics by certain players.

On another note, to save time and avoid distraction, if a player seeks medical attention such that it requires he be taken off the field on a stretcher, this player should not be permitted to return to the match. This “acting out” is not a part of this sport. Let them do this on a stage, not on a field of play!

What do you think?

Posted from United States

By bd | July 11th, 2006 at 6:08 pm

food for thought who deserved what? when racism is confirmed we call you to give the cup back!!!!A Racist Slur at the World Cup?

By Dave Zirin*

Behind the stunning ejection of France’s star player during overtime in the World Cup finals are allegations of racism on the part of an Italian player.

Imagine Michael Jordan in his last game, with the score tied in overtime, knocking out his defender with a punch to the throat. Imagine Derek Jeter in game seven of the World Series, at bat with the bases loaded, thrashing the opposing team’s catcher over the head with his bat. Our collective shock would only be exceeded by disappointment. No one, fan or foe, would want to a see a great player end their career in an act that speaks to the worst impulses of sports: when hard competition spills over into violence.

Now imagine if Jordan and Jeter claimed they were provoked with a racial slur. Does their violence become understandable? Even excusable? Herein lies the case of French National team captain, the great Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, competing in his last professional match, was kicked out of the World Cup final in overtime for flattening Italian player Marco Materazzi with the head-butt heard around the world. Zidane, or Zissou as he is known, became the first captain ever ejected from a World Cup championship match.

The announcers denounced Zissou for committing a “classless act and the French team withered, eventually losing to a demonstrably inferior Italian squad in overtime. The following morning the international tabloids with their typical grace, gave Zissou a new nickname: “butt-head.” Less examined was the fact that Zissou was literally carrying a lightly regarded French team to the finals. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had been grabbed, kicked, and fouled all game by the vaunted Italian defense. Less examined was the fact that Zissou had almost left minutes earlier due to injury, his arm wilting off his shoulder like a wet leaf of spinach. This unholy amount of pressure is the primary reason the 34-year-old veteran snapped and planted Materazzi into the pitch.

Now the great mystery is what set Zissou off. What could Materazzi have possibly said to send him over the edge? Answers are beginning to filter out. According to a FIFA employee transcribing what was said during the match, Materazzi’s called Zissou a “big Algerian shit.” A Brazilian television program that claims to have used a lip-reader said Materazzi called Zissou’s sister “a whore.” The highly respected French anti-racist coalition SOS Racisme issued a press release stating, “According to several very well informed sources from the world of football, it would seem [Materazzi] called Zissou a ‘dirty terrorist’.”

Materazzi, in an answer that can only be called Clintonian, said, “It is absolutely not true. I didn’t call him a terrorist.” Of course he didn‚t comment on what he did call him. Zissou himself has only said cryptically that he would reveal what Materazzi said “in the coming days.”

Right now, we do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt what was said but all the circumstantial evidence points at least toward a variant of SOS Racisme’s claim. Zissou is the son of Algerian immigrants who has sparred verbally with Europe’s far-right political machine for more than a decade. He is an outspoken anti-racist on a team that has defined itself by its multiculturalism and stubborn insistence to stand up against bigotry both inside and outside the sport. Materazzi on the other hand, will be playing this year for the Italian team Lazio, where his father was the former coach. Lazio’s fan club, The Ultras, are notorious for their Fascist-friendly politics. Lazio’s hardcore Ultras, known as the “Irriducibili,” have members in Italy’s extra-parliamentary far right and try to use the club to recruit. The group has frequently uses racist and anti-Semitic banners, one time hanging a 50-foot banner that said their opponents were a “team of niggers.”

It‚s wrong to taint Materazzi for the actions of Lazio’s fans, but there is more. Earlier this season in a match that pitted Messina against Inter in Sicily, Messina’s star African player Marc Zoro famously picked up the ball and walked off the pitch in protest of the monkey chants rained upon him by Inter supporters. In a stirring act of solidarity, many of the Inter players immediately showed support for Zoro’s actions. But one opponent yelled, “Stop that, Zoro, you’re just trying to make a name for yourself.” That opponent’s name was Marco Materazzi.

At the start of this tournament I wrote a soccer column with my colleague John Cox, called “Racism Stalks the Cup.” We expressed our concern that the monkey chants, banana peels, and peanuts raining down on African players this year would continue on the sport’s grandest stage. This largely did not occur. But then in the final act, at the moment of most exquisite tension, it seems racism may have actually emerged from the shadows. I, for one, am damn glad that when it did, it ran smack into Zissou’s beautiful head.

We don‚t know with iron certainty what Materazzi said, but if it turns out to be more of the anti-Black, anti-Muslim, garbage that has infected soccer like a virus, the Italian team should forfeit the cup. They should voluntarily give the greatest trophy of them all back to FIFA as a statement that some things in this world are more important than sports. Racism will be the death of soccer if things don’t change. Italy can set the sport back on course, with one simple, stunning gesture. Give the damn thing back.

Posted from Spain

By bd | July 11th, 2006 at 6:15 pm

i think your right paul the use of video should be made perhaps it would have made zidanes sending off fair as it would be procedure but more than likely it would have prevented it altoghether as the players who play dirty would have been penalised before hand and situations would not escalate good call and of course a stretchered player should not be allowed back on the pitch it makes a mockery of the whole process

Posted from Spain

By AE | July 11th, 2006 at 7:39 pm

Regardign the final I agree wiht Aaron that it was a well officiated game. My comments:

FIFA should not allow any event played back on the big screen until a decision has been rendered by the referee and the punishment handed out.
In the end the right action was taken but we will never know if the referees actually saw live
what actually happened.

To this end my comment for Zidane is as referees listen to
abuse he has to rise above the cheap talk and ignore the comments regrdless of their content. He need to be bigger than that and think about the game and what his actions convey to the publice and the underlying message he sends to all youth playing the sport.

As for Materazzi if it comes out that his comments are racial then he just erased all the effort FIFA displayed during the tournament to eradicate the racial overtones and actions from the game.

I think both players were in the wrong:

Zidane has a history of short fuse and violent conduct and I don’t care what the votes say
he does not deserve to be honored in any way. This is a problem in all sports, we refuse to punish our greatest players. Well greatness is much more than physicial ablility, it is sportsmanship, being a good ambassador of the game is very much part of the player responsibility.

Materazzi said something to Zidane, there is no question about that. If it was racial then he should be banned from the game. We would not loose much and FIFA would be true to
their goal on stamping out racism. Maybe it was a calculated move by Zidane to punish Materazzi in public because he was degraded.

For me personally the whole incident ruined what was to be known as a great WC classic match final.

Most people will not remember the goals, the technical precision play of Italy or the great perseverance and individual skills of the French players.

They will remember this one ugly incident, that’s a shame !

My hat is off to FIFA and the country of Germany. They put on a great show !!!

By Pat | July 11th, 2006 at 7:59 pm

bd, you’re a joke. Now you’re bringing Canada into this?

A few things -
1) Arguably the best refereeing team in this world cup is from CONCACAF
2) Interestingly, there’s bigots like you but I don’t recall a single racist comment from anyone posting from Canada.
3) Owen Hargreaves, who gave the best performance for England in their last game, is from Canada.

Posted from Canada

By cold_vibes | July 11th, 2006 at 8:26 pm

hmmm…..well muss say zidane U WERE ,ARE N WILL ALWAYZ B SIMPLY THE B-E-S-T!!!v will miss watching ur golden touch on soccer!! u left a gr8 honourable legacy behind which no1 can even drm of achieving it!!

Posted from India

By fbn | July 12th, 2006 at 3:48 am

Aaron Corman (sportswriter)is a perfect idiot…nothing is more important than a man’s pride, not even winning the world cup. But I do not think you’re smart enough to understand Zidane’s action. Racism or any hint of it should not be tolerated. Zidane did the right thing. Shame on all the other idiots who do not understand that.

Posted from United States

By bd | July 12th, 2006 at 11:52 am

blah blah blah canada blah eh blah canada blah eh eh eh eh blah curling blah hockey blah blah blah owne hargreaves canadian my ass blah myth blah canadian dream blah blah SHUT UP

Posted from Spain

By bd | July 12th, 2006 at 11:57 am

oh yeah and jo cole gave a much better performance for england than hargreaves so blame canada go and eat snow and leave europe alone surely you have some moose or caribou or whatever to hunt go drink some wild cat and SHUT UP

Posted from Spain

By Sam | July 12th, 2006 at 1:34 pm

Aaron, great blog. Personally I agree that Materazzi’s comments need to be investigated.
If necessary FIFA’s Article 55 could be invoked. The article is very clear on sanctions if Materazzi can be proven to have racially insulted Zidane - Italy will be disqualified.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Michele | July 12th, 2006 at 6:54 pm

Hey bd…u sound like a complete arrogant jerk. U are the racist. Italians were persecuted for over 2,000 years. U dont know jack about any culture and I suggest that u keep ur stupid pie hole shut.

Posted from United States

By steve | July 12th, 2006 at 9:54 pm

Aaron,
First of all super job! Great blog and tremendous effort. As a referee and fan, your comments were entertaining thought provoking and generally quite accurate, in my humble opinion. Also your blog provided a great place for raging commentary, i.e. “BD” and other above.

So let me take a little risk and put in my own personal interpretation of what happened.
Just before the Materazzi headbutt, Zizou orchestrated a wonderful play which ended with his sensational and powerful header. As we all saw, Buffon on the reflect and with the tips of the fingers of one hand denied Zidane’s goal. What frustation! In my mind, Zidane saw that goal as his God given right denied. A denial that he could not accept and when Materazzi insulted him emphasizing that denial it pushed him over the top. Right fist clenched, legs taut he lashed out in an astonishing moment of violence which I am sure he now regrets. Who of us does not become petulant at the perceived right denied followed by an insult? Sad but true!

Posted from United States

By SamD | July 13th, 2006 at 5:20 am

What Zidane did is not acceptable and was duly punished. THE MAIN CULPRIT, HOWEVER, IS STILL AT LARGE. To come to a match (any match, let alone a WC final) with the intention of cheating your oppenents is disgraceful. IT”S THE ANTITHESIS OF FAIR PLAY.

Materazzi and, I suspect, his teammates are guilty of cheating not only Zidane and the French side, but the entire football-loving viewers.

Posted from United States

By joketrump | July 13th, 2006 at 6:34 am

I personally feel like the negative reaction to the headbutting incident is wholly overblown. Yes, the ideal method to handle the situation would have been for Zidane to ignore Materazzi’s comments and deal with him after the game, but he is a human being. Zidane just did what every other person in the world would have loved to do in the same situation, so its difficult to condemn him for a “horrific act” or whatever other terms you may choose.

This act did not cost them the world cup. Trezeguet would have still been one of the shooters if Zidane were still in the game. Either give Italy and Buffon’s fantastic save to keep it level late in overtime credit, or fault Barthez for his inability to stop any of the pks (although his play was matched by an equally unimpressive pk performance by Buffon, who chose the wrong direction on every kick and was only saved by Trezeguet).

Furthermore, you can argue about what is and isn’t “fact” and the mystery around what Materazzi actually said, but in the end we saw them talking before the incident, and the racism line, aside from specifics, is entirely plausible and likely. Whether that’s provable is a different issue, but it’s naive to believe his comments were anything short of racist. Materazzi’s actions are the ones to be condemned because they are indicative of a lack of character, Zidane’s merely a natural human weakness - pride. Plus, how can you say that he let his family down as a result of this incident when he was protecting their honor?

Beyond the incident, Zidane had a remarkable career, clearly worthy of being remembered along with Pele and Beckenbauer and other greats of the game. We’ve loved Zidane for his passion and intensity for the game, don’t fault him for feeling the same passion for his heritage and family. Yes, he made a mistake and he had the bad luck to have 2 billion people watching him to judge him for it, but who hasn’t made a mistake.

Remember him for this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6307404507766060126&q=zidane

Posted from United States

By Michele | July 14th, 2006 at 1:42 am

I guess in the end it does not matter what anyone says… Italy won and they DESERVE IT!!!

Posted from United States

By Marco | July 22nd, 2006 at 5:14 am

ohh every one sign this

http://www.difendiamomaterazzi.it/

Its for materazzi and the injustice he recieved

Posted from Australia

By Tim | August 6th, 2006 at 12:10 pm

ITALY deserve the cup…France deserved to loose. I feel Italy were the better team in the final. They hit the bar once,got a goal dissallowed for off side and Pirlo shaved the post once. Though France had more possession in the second half they never had a decent chance. The only chance they had was that Zidane header which Buffon saved inceredibly. Moreover Frances’ penalty was unfair..

Posted from India

By Chris | August 13th, 2006 at 10:13 pm

ITALIA is the best team to ever play the game … Italians are going after the WORLD … BRAZIL is next to tie at 5 a piece then in 2022 it will be BRAZIL and ITALY again both tied at 5-5 a piece. THEN let the truth and power be known who is the greatest soccer nation EVER!!! For all the marbles! Dont you morons see (blog ppl) ITALY LOVES THE FACT THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS JEALOUS … ask yourself wouldnt you want to be italian ?… my parents are and we live in CANADA so I AM CANADIAN … but i can also root and cheer for ITALY proudly … being and looking italian is the BEST you should see how many girls Im banging now … maybe one is your GF that im doing on the side or maybe your MOM even hahahaha FORZA AZZURI u jealous pigs

Posted from Canada

By momo | August 13th, 2006 at 11:31 pm

Did ZZ get what he deserved, not even close. He got off way to light.

I would have made him place the metal on Materazzi at the end of the game.

Posted from Canada

By mark | August 15th, 2006 at 1:43 am

For those who still think Materazzi used racist words against Zidane, here is the FIFA press realese of 20 july 2006 in which it’s clearly stated that Zidane HIMSELF declared to FIFA that Materazzi did not use words of racist nature, you can find it on the FIFA official site.
Reading the posts contained in this group I also realized that true xenophoby concerned Italians in all this story…

Here is the press release:

Zidane/Materazzi disciplinary proceedings: suspensions, fines, community service and regret

Zurich, 20 July 2006 - Suspensions and fines were the sanctions pronounced by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee at its meeting today (Thursday, 20 July 2006) as part of the disciplinary proceedings opened against Zinedine Zidane (France) and Marco Materazzi (Italy) after their clash during the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ final in Berlin on 9 July. Zinedine Zidane has also agreed to do community service work with children and youngsters. Meeting under the chairmanship of Marcel Mathier (Switzerland), the five-man FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a three-match ban and a fine of CHF 7,500 on Zinedine Zidane on account of his head-butt to Materazzi’s chest. As Zidane has now retired from international football, the committee took note of Zidane’s pledge to do three days of community service work with children and youngsters as part of FIFA’s humanitarian activities. Materazzi was suspended for two official matches of the Italian national team and fined the sum of CHF 5,000 for repeatedly provoking Zidane.

FIFA gave both players the right to be heard in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The hearing with Marco Materazzi was held at FIFA headquarters on 14 July, with Zinedine Zidane questioned during today’s meeting. **********In their statements, *****both players stressed***** that Materazzi’s comments had been defamatory *****but not of a racist nature.********** During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident.

Referee Horacio Elizondo (Argentina) sent Zidane off in the 110th minute of the World Cup final after his clash with Materazzi. The incident had been directly observed from his position at the pitchside without the use of a monitor by the fourth official, Luis Medina Cantalejo (ESP), who informed the referee and his assistants through the communications system. Both match officials were also invited to attend the meeting. According to the regulations, the fourth official must inform the referee if any acts of violent conduct are committed out of sight of the referee and his assistants.

Further information from: FIFA Media Department media@fifa.org

Posted from Italy

By Alex | August 26th, 2006 at 9:01 am

LikeZidane.com displays the act of the World Cup of Soccer Headbutt heard around the world by French player Zinedine Zidane on Italian player Macro Materazzi.
The site contains comical and real media, videos, files, games, and more on the event.

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