Now Now Children, Don't Fight

This on-going saga between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi really is getting tedious. Think of it as one of those play-ground squabbles that people just won't shut up about.



If you have been living under a rock since Sunday afternoon, let me explain. During extra-time in Sunday's World Cup Final, French superstar Zinedine Zidane and Italian defender Marco Materazzi had a little bit of an argument. They were chuntering things to each other when Zidane launched a powerful headbut into the chest of Materazzi. After much diiberation and no doubt an smidge of video evidence, Zindane was sent-off. Italy went on to win the World Cup.

The aftermath of that night's events is still ongoing, with the main question being asked is what did Materazzi do or say to end up on the recieving end of the Frenchman's noggin?
Practically ever national newspaper has been consulting lip reading experts and the general concensus is that Materazzi made a reference to Zidane's mother and labelled her a terrorist.

Today, "Zi-Zu" promises to bare all in true 'Jerry-Springer-American-TV-Chat-Show' style, not before coming out in the press today proclaiming how he want's Materazzi's "balls on a platter." Classy.

Now, whilst I don't condone racism (if that is what Materazzi has said), I also don't really condone violence or retaliation. Zidane might claim his justification in what he did, just as the Rooney apologists are justifying stamping on another professional's genetalia, but he's far from in the right.
Materazzi is the winner here. He's the one with the World Cup Winners medal, he's the one who's career didn't end so spectacuarly infront of 75,000 people as well as hundereds of millions of people watching on TV across the world.

Zidane's actions cost France the World Cup, his dismissal came at a time when France were on-top and his actions gave Italy the momentum to go on and win. Had Zidane ignored it, reported the slur afterwards, then he'd probably be sat right now with a second winners medal, whilst Materazzi would be under investigation for racist remarks.

Now the handbag throwing continues, and won't stop for a good while yet. What Materazzi actually did is up for debate, but Zidane has no excuse for complaint. There is no place on any sporting field for such a physical attack and if Zidane thinks otherwise, then he should quickly fall into obscurity before he show's himself up even more.