Home > Zidane and the ‘war on terror’
By Gabriele Zamparini
“The France legend, playing in his final match before retirement, was dismissed in extra-time for chestbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi” the Guardian reported.
“Zinédine Zidane’s despicable, unfathomable act of violence” (1) has been unanimously blamed as a “stupid reaction”, a “disgrace”. “How sad that he should save the most shameful episode for the final page of his story” wrote the BBC. (2)
Yes, but why? Why did the 34 year old experienced football player who has just been awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup do it?
Guardian’s journalist Kevin McCarra wrote “there were suggestions last night that Materazzi had called him ‘a terrorist’” [emphasis added] (3)
Only Zidane and Materazzi know the truth and it would be interesting to know what they have to say about these “suggestions”.
If they are confirmed, Zidane’s gesture, far from being the “despicable, unfathomable act of violence” will be seen as the only link to reality of this World Cup.
If these “suggestions” are confirmed, that red card will tell a completely different story. Still a “stupid reaction” according to the FIFA’s rules maybe, Zidane’s act will be remembered as the most human reaction to racism and hypocrisy. He won’t be anymore the fake “hero” praised by the business-corrupted football circus but something way far more important: a man of moral integrity who didn’t sell himself and didn’t compromise for a golden cup, the money coming from it and a glossed image a world of strangers enjoyed.
If the ‘war on terror’ played a role in the 2006 World Cup, Zidane’s answer is not a disgrace but an act of courage that deserves to be acknowledged for what it is.
If Italian football player Materazzi really called Zidane ‘a terrorist’, FIFA should strip Italy of the World Cup and leave the 2006 tournament without a winner.
Whatever decision the FIFA will take, people could still make their voice heard by boycotting the Italian football team wherever and whenever will play.
Football - and not only in Italy - doesn’t live by itself on a far away planet. In times of ‘war on terror’ and ‘preemptive wars’, Zidane’s gesture has the power of a strong and just call to reality.
If Italian football player Materazzi really called Zidane ‘a terrorist’, Zidane’s gesture should be seen for what it really represents: a political statement directed to all of us.
Forum posts
15 July 2006, 09:55
That is some fucking spin! No matter what was said, Zidane’s act of violence was inexcusable.
15 July 2006, 23:58
I think you’ll find that, by Zidane’s own admission in a televised interview, the provocation had nothing to do with accusations of ’terrorism’. Materazzi was apparently offensive towards Zidane’s mother and sister... It would be interesting to see how this particular urban myth originated, and why it has received so much attention - it almost feels as though people wanted this to be a xenophobic provocation.
16 July 2006, 11:02
According to Le Monde:
Michel Denisot lui a demandé si la réalité "recoupait" ce qu’avaient rapporté les tabloïds anglais qui, s’appuyant sur des spécialistes de la lecture labiale, ont accusé l’Italien d’avoir dit : "On sait tous que tu es le fils d’une pute terroriste." Zidane a juste répondu : "Ben oui".
In other words, Zidane confirmed what some British newspapers had published, namely:
The Times newspaper hired Jessica Rees, whose skill has seen her summoned as an expert witness at criminal trials, to study a tape of Sunday’s match that saw Zidane get a red card for his seemingly spontaneous assault.
"After an exhaustive study of the match video, and with the help of an Italian translator, Rees claimed Materazzi called Zidane ’the son of a terrorist whore’ before adding ’so just f*** off’ for good measure," it said.
The Daily Mail, which wrongly described Marseille’s native Zidane as "Algeria-born", said it had also engaged the services of a lip reader, whom it did not identify, who reached the exact same conclusion as Rees. [Lip reader’s take on Materazzi insult]
Read Zidane and the ‘war on terror’ and make your voice heard: FIFA must strip Italy of the World Cup!
Zidane and the Italian BASE World Cup
A follow-up to Zidane and the ‘war on terror’
http://www.thecatsdream.com/blog/2006/07/zidane-and-italian-base-world-cup_13.htm
17 July 2006, 14:50
If Materazzi had simply called Zidane a "figlo di putt*** " without the word "terrorist", would the world be ready to defend Zidane’s violent reaction? I’m sure that this isn’t the first time there’s name calling and it won’t be the last- these are grown men who should be able to take the pressure and not react violently. How can we preach non-violence and the praise a person who reacts to being taunted? What’s the old saying about "sticks and stones may break my bones but words....."