Materazzi who?

This whole Zidane incident at the World Cup 2006 final between France and Italy has raised my eyebrow. Not so much the incident. Yes, Zidane was wrong to do it and he's certainly become the butt of many jokes. One e-mail sent to me recently shows an animated Zidane dealing with problems in various scenarios by head-butting. I've also seen a video that shows how to deal with everyday problems using the head-butting technique. And certainly, it will be difficult for Zidane to live this incident down, for many years to come. It may even become his epitaph. But what of the recipient of the head-butt, the Italian player Materazzi?

Both players were given three game suspensions by FIFA, as well as fines. This doesn't mean anything to Zidane, since he has stated that he is retiring from the game. Zidane did offer to perform three days of community service in FIFA's name instead, which FIFA accepted. Good for them. It shows Zidane is contrite about the incident and wants to make amends. For Materazzi, it means missing the first three games of the next international competition, which includes missing a game against France. Oh irony of ironies! Of course, Italian soccer fans are up in arms about this. They don't agree with the Italian player receiving any kind of punishment, since he is the 'victim.' Not so, I say. Materazzi is the one that provoked Zidane into this action in an obviously thinly veiled attempt at drawing a penalty. Exacerbated by his drama queen writhing on the soccer pitch. Yes, Zidane exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct, but Materazzi is just as guilty of not living up to the ideals of international competition.

Oh sure, they all do it. They all hurl insults at each other to provoke actions like Zidane took. They've probably taken acting classes or practiced in front of mirrors to develop their techniques for showing how much pain they're in, even though the other player didn't touch them, in order to draw a penalty. If FIFA wants to clamp down on these acts, then I say, unless there is blood, both players should get the penalty. That will stop these divers from acting their way to a victory. Diving has even crept into the NHL. I don't remember a lot of diving happening until many Europeans came across the pond to play. Is this a European thing? Are European professional athletes just a bunch of wimps and cry babies that would rather win by having the best players in the penalty box, or should they battle it out in the spirit of good sportsmanship?

To the Italian soccer fans, I say this: Quit your griping. Materazzi got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Be thankful he didn't get a more serious judgment against him.

Wings Over The World