Sunday, July 9, 2006, all eyes were glued to the television as people await the results of the 2006 World Cup Finals. Just ten minutes remaining in the second extra time, French football star Zidane and Italian player Materazzi got into a verbal fight inciting Zidane to head-butt Materazzi. Everyone is shocked by this incident especially that it was Zidane’s final game before ending his 18-year career as a professional football player. 2 days ago, in a TV interview with Canal Plus in Paris, Zidane talked about the incident for the first time. He said sorry, but he didn’t regret doing it.
Zidane explains that he was provoked by the Italian player who said “very harsh” words about his mother and sister repeatedly. He apologized to his fans, especially to the millions of children watching all over the world for that “inexcusable” act but he cannot regret it. He said in the interview “I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he was right to say all that." Zidane didn’t say anything about what those harsh words were, but they could probably be really grave for him to end his career in such an unbecoming manner. Materazzi, on the other hand swears he did not talk about his mother, although he admitted he insulted Zidane. He said further in an interview that he admires Zidane a lot. He “has always been my hero,” he said.
By guest writer Khristine
comments
No matter what, Zidan had a good excuse to head butt Materazzi in the chest for swearing at his mom and sister. In my opinion, The Italian coach wanted some his players to provoke Zidan and the only one who could finish the job was Materazzi who's known for uttering racist and foul language towards other team players. There's video footage documenting what exactly happened between the two in the last minutes and it showed Materazzi who touching Zidane as he tried to avoid him and then the clashing began which sadly cost France the cup when it played a very fair game and most of its team members are from diffrent ethnicities and religions.
i know what materazzi told zidane he told him that he is an arabian terorist and he insulted his mom and sis while zidanes mom was in the hospital actually i feel ashamed that i wanted italy to win and when it did win i started screaming and i was really very happy but after i knew wt rly hapned i wish if france won ,at least they respect arabs and dont insult them .anyway zidane proved that he did wt he done for a good and convincing reason and i wanna say I LOVE YA ZIDANE AND U R ABSOLUTELY THE BEST OF THE BEST.
one word for zizou..R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!..
i never liked him so much
he put his values above his reputation and above his career, which is very rare nowadays.
but hey....he stole the spotlight, italian's victory was barley mentioned in news and magazines, it was zidane all over the place :)
zidane is a reall man,he doesnt care what could happened for his reputation or the whole world cup,but he defend his mother and sister,he is a reall man ,and the other pig materazzi should be punished again by the fifa coz he is an evil who was not playing football but he insulting other players,shame on him,bgad 7ayawan..GO ZIDANE GO YOU R A REALL MAN,
Zidane played a good game... Who cares if he headbutted the guy at the end. He will always be a million times a better player than Materazzi could ever wish to be. If I were Zidane, I would have just gone for the punch and got Materazzi out of the game too! Zizou still won the golden ball, it just goes to show you how good he is, the best player in forty years. Love him, and viva l'algerie.....
Who cares! Lebanon and Palestine are on fire and u are all bothered about bloody football?!?!?!
Zidane is the best and will always be the best...i love him so much...he is a really man he defends his mum and sis...if my brother gets some insults like this he would make 100% the same....And to blah...when iraq is on fire no one even care all people chatting and give comments.... Respect For All The lebanese..for what they are going throug...May Allah Help All The Poeple Here In the WOrld...And Specially Our Brothers And Sisters In Iraq And libanon...
Byee
we all love u Zidane..and u are the best footballer..the italian deserves to b punished not u..for doing sth that u believe in
xxxx