Zidane should be forgiven. Although his head butt was uncalled for, think of the emotions running through his head: his last game, World Cup final, mom in the hospital, second overtime, just missed a header, didn't get many calls from the ref. If it's true Italy had been trying to get under his skin all game, I think a lot of people would have snapped earlier. Had his header hit the back of the net all of these articles would be about how Zidane was the greatest champion of all time (had the Italians had anyone but Buffon it would have been in the net). I still think he is the greatest big-game player ever, and top 5 greatest of all time. Great career Zizou, come to the U.S.!

I agree with Colin 100%.

I agree that Zidane should be forgiven, more or less, and that we should focus on the many tremendously positive aspects of his career. But I am really disappointed that he claims to have no regret for his physical attack, in essence, that he is sorry we all had to witness his violent outburst but that he would do it again without hesitation. This really makes the case for forgiving and forgetting a lot more difficult, and in my opinion, is a very regrettable thing to say. He really needed to say that Materazzi's behavior was offensive, but that he shouldn't have stooped to the same level, and that he regrets the action. Bottom line, he remains one of the all-time greats, but this tarnish will remain because of his actions AND less-than-truly-remorseful words.

Oh yeah....I do agree 100% that Zidane should come to MLS!!!

1. Simply put, violence should never be condoned. Can this be agreed upon?
2. If ZZ were not such a great player, would such reprehensible behavior be whitewashed?
3. Making excuses for what is essentially unexcusable behavior is unbecoming and cowardly.
4. Why are people so invested in overlooking this violence, and lack of remorse? This is a harsh and unacceptable example, especially for all of those kids around the world engaging in soccer.
5. If a person walking down the street slugged someone because the other person said an insult, what would/should happen to the person who assaulted the other? Wouldn't that be battery? Can that person claim that an insult "made me do it", and thus he is not to be held responsible?

Come on, folks, let us all wake up.

Zidane reaffirms his true colors--after three days of much reflection and counsel--as a thug. He's embarrassed his family and his country enough already with his total physical response to a chirpy italian, and frankly, I'm astonished to hear his call for punishment of the so-called real culprit.

An appropriate response would have been to return the Golden Ball Award and issue an apology to France and his family, I think. Nevermind addressing the Italians, because the Cup is in their camp now.

He's simply been unprofessional. End of story, really.

I'm studying for the bar exam so my brain is kind of warped right now by entirely too much law. The thing I thought when I saw the headbutt was "Hey, that is a battery!" It was an offensive touching that Materazzi did not consent to. The insult was no legal excuse. Zidane could be arrested and criminally charged or Materazzi could sue for an intentional tort and get puntative damages.

Just my warped perspective. Oh, and I think he's a thug.

Shut up Andrea with your stupid perspective on soccer. You could literally sue for every tackle under various guises if that's the case. Zidane is a legend unlike the overated German players. If the world Cup was held in any other country, Germany doesn't beat Argentina or come out of a tough group. I am tired of the german people and their flag waving, just an excuse to show their dark nationalist feelings under the cover of, 'we are cheering for the World Cup'. Stop being a b**** and go to youtube.com and watch the majestic Zidane. Hope you fail your exams for attacking Zidane

No matter what was said, I believe we try to teach society that violence is not the answer. It is amazing to me how Zidane gets a free pass from people...Anyone who grew up playing soccer (or any sport for that matter), knows people will say anything to get under someone elses skin...
On another note, did people watch DC United school Celtic last night?

It was assault. But his -blinded by love- supporters and agents made him out to be the victim, and the conversation overwhelming turned to that. Unfortunately it seems like Zidane also bought into it. The head-butt was horrible and what's worse was that Zidane did nothing to stop the wide scale speculation that it was provoked by a racial comment. That went on for 4 days before Zidane made his statement saying it was an insult to his sister and mother. He had to have known that was spreading like wildfire. I feel like that was irresponsible of him not to put an end to that speculation immediately. Instead, he let it burn, perhaps he was thinking the bigger monster this makes out of Materrazzi the better I will look. Well, I'm glad to see that to some people it never mattered, that no verbal insult justifies a physical attack.

I was even called a racist for the first time in my life because I said Zidane reacted like an animal. This person said I must not like Muslims.??? And asked me about the violence that "my people" do everyday to Palestinian women and children.

Yes! Soggy RFK was a land of surreal splendor last night! Sure, Celtic's got a few excuses, but we dismantled them start to finish. Some shining moments for Freddy, John Wilson was tremendous, Rimando had a great game, and I was thoroughly impressed with the speed and sharpness of many of our reserves, notably: Moose, Nickell, Metcalf. All around, a great team effort from starters and reserves. Celtic looked pretty weak. It was awesome to see the Hoops on our turf, and though a "friendly" and experimental tone was present through most of the game, it was also quite satisfying to see such a drubbing by the Black & Red!!! What a night!

And, Kenny Miller's two-legged-and-one-arm-swinging tackle was criminal, properly punished, and it was fun to see him angrily kicking debris by the Nat's dugout as he stormed off the field! Punk move.

Zizou,

You, like the thug you so idolize, are a real class act. Andrea wasn't arguing that your idol should be criminally prosecuted, she was just pointing out that legally, as in life, provocation is no excuse for misbehavior.

If you're goign to play soccer, you agree to abide by certain rules or suffer the consequences (being carded). Zidane broke the rules and suffered the the consequences--on that much we all agree. The debate people now engage in has more to do with the level of moral culpability that should be assigned to Zidane--do we forgive him or not--which doesn't really have as much to do with the playing of the game as soccer as with our role in it as fans. In short, do we still hold him responsible personally, all soccer aside? Andrea's post was a valid perspective on that debate.

By way of explanation, let me use an analogy. If you're going to use this blog, you agree to certain terms of use (they're right above the comment window). They include provisions forbidding "personal attacks or other inappropriate comments." By violating those rules(and you have), you make yourself subject to the consequences (getting your post removed from the board). Once that's all said and done, though, each of us will have to decide whether or not we think you're a complete creep, and how indicative your behavior is of who you are--just like we're doing with Zinadine. That's an evaluation we'll make outside the framework of the official rules, much the way our judgment of Zidane will a variety of non-soccer perspectives and codes of conduct.

That you chose to be rude and abusive to one of our fellow soccer fans says a lot about you, but let's try to keep the discussion on topic, shall we?

Andrea you are being silenced!!! You know! When you think about it telling someone to shut up and head butting are not very different responses. Those reactions usually come out when people can not articulate in words what they feel, so they sense the need to silence you with a shut up or some act of violence.
Andrea I hope you do well on you exams

Opponents trying to get under your skin is part of most professional sports. To be playing at the highest level, one must be immune to taunts and/or be able to tune out what opponents say.
That Zidane was not able to do either is surprising and disappointing. I would expect a winner of the Golden Ball award to respond to taunts by scoring another goal then hoist the trophy, not by using his head like a battering ram without consideration for the repercussions of his actions on the game, his team, or tens of millions of supporters.
The head-but was an act of selfishness wherein Zidane put his personal sense of honor over his responsibility to his team and his position representing his country. His comments since the incident have not shown that he understands this and I will not forgive him until he does and apologizes for his hubris.

You people are unbelievable. Forgiveness is a key trait which seems to have escaped a few of you. Zidane deserves some forgiveness not only because he is a great footballer but also because he has been a great man. He does charity work for less fortunate children and a great family man. Athletes in the U.S. have done far worse than Zidane yet still are idolized. Shaq has been in fist fights, Ray Lewis was acquitted in some sort of connection to a murder, Charles Barkley used to throw people through bar windows and is now on T.V. I think its great fans have forgiven these acts and I think Zidane has earned forgiveness as well.

Also battery? What? It's a football match. Things like this happen all the time. Figo's head butt to the head(not to mention the whole Portugal/Netherlands game), De Rossi's elbow to McBride, Materazzi's nipple twist. The German jails would be filled with footballers if conduct was judged by law instead of the law of the ref.

Nous vous aimons Zidane. Vous serez toujours à nos coeurs.

Au revoir et merci

Colin- we haven't been talking about other athletes. we are talking about Zidane's actions in the World Cup final. Since nobody has posted about the actions of Shaq or Ray Lewis, and our positions on those issues are unknown, it is unfair to imply that those of us who haven't yet forgiven Zidane are hypocrites.

Great people admit their mistakes and learn from them.

It's not a question of whether I forgive him or not. All those things you listed do not justify what he did. What do you expect me to say? "That's great! Thanks for those things, you great family man you. Now here is a free pass to do whatever you want, because you built up a surplus of good things.
. If you continue to condone it and make excuses it will continue to happen.

See Zizou, I knew you could be nice

People who don't agree with Zidane's actions need to read this.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2267777,00.html

Yes the act was terrible. yes, he should be punish. yes he is a thug. what i got from the interview is that was a man of honor who tried to walk away from the taunting and insult by another man and just snap. He just snapped. simple as that. We saw it live. Billion of us saw it around the world, including kids. but he just snapped. I think we all have a limit to which we can be pushed to. and the fact that his mother was sitting in a hospital somewhere probably moved that threshold closer than what he had been exposed to in his career.

we as human beings have our own tolerance level before we can break. and we are already subjected to external stress whether it being bills not getting paid, the wife cheating on you, your crappy job, or your mother in the hospital.

it is unfortunate what happened. and it is a real shame the way this story ended. i think win or lose the game, we would have preferred to see him go out in different circumstances. Well, such is life. Sometimes, life changes the script on you, helped a little bit by cheating Italians trying everything in the book to win a game.

Correction: The Winning Italians.

good point DC

Oh great! Now FIFA will have to crack down on "Your Mamma" jokes.

bribri, i never called anyone a hypocrite

Have any of the haters ever played soccer? People snap, it happens, get over it and move on. So he got a red card, he also won almost single handedly a world cup, champions league, and euro cup. May we celebrate Zizou always! His second to last header didn't hit the target but his last one did.

You're right Zidane is a god. God of the head-butts. I was just thinking that if you were having this conversation with someone just like you. You would probably have a pretty sore chest by now.
Oh! and the part when you called us haters, that was funny, I haven't heard that one for a long time. You have made my day.
Thank you for all your comedy and down to earth insight. The next time I'm insulted and I "snap" I will remember that You said it is ok to ram my head into somebody's chest. Or maybe I'll just walk away.

You're right Zidane is a god. God of the head-butts. I was just thinking that if you were having this conversation with someone just like you. You would probably have a pretty sore chest by now. You could talk turns ramming each other.
Oh! and the part when you called us haters, that was funny, I haven't heard that one for a long time. You have made my day.
Thank you for all your comedy and down to earth insight. The next time I'm insulted and I "snap" I will remember that You said it is ok to ram my head into somebody's chest. Or maybe I'll just walk away.

I'll agree he's a god of head butts as well as a god of first touch, shielding, passing, vision, leadership, scoring, ball control, beating defensemen....maybe not so much defense but you get my point.

Second, if I was having this conversation with someone like me we'd probably agree on this debate, thus, we wouldn't have to shove our heads into each other's chests.

Third, I never said violence is okay, but his punishment is a red card, fine, and suspension if he were to play again. All I'm saying is the media and up tight football fans got way too worked up over this. I've seen worse and I'll see worse in the future. This won't tarnish Zidane's legacy, everyone loved Maradona at this world cup and he was a cheater and had drug problems. Well done again Zidane! (and Maradona too)

Two thoughts:

1. Would Materazzi ever dared to speak to a referee in the manner he is alleged to have spoken to Zidane, or twisted the ref's nipples for that matter? Of course not, because he knows he would have gotten an immediate red card. Further, no one would have said that the ref should simply have walked away. By picking on someone (Zidane) whom he thought wouldn't or couldn't fight back, Materazzi comes across as something of a coward. Of course, he can always prove me wrong by trying his shtick on a referee sometime.

2. Although I condemn Zidane's action, he is now retired, and thus no longer a danger to anyone. Materazzi is still a danger, and thus he should be the principal focus of FIFA's disciplinary actions.

DC: Are you a guy or a girl?

You all right!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YMHB-Efo3bw&search=zinedine%20zidane

First amuse me with why you want to know and than I will tell you.

Sorry to play hard to get!

Hey Zidane remember when you said that Zidane is God at beating defensemen"?

That was pretty funny...

I also agree that he was one of the best, if not the best at all those other things.

http://www.fifatickets2006.com/zidaneflashgame.php

I can only get it to work in IE--no firefox--but it's worth a look/laugh.

Ah Cica, I really don't care for all your perverted hypotheticals.
But in all honesty, if I was the ref, I wouldn't mind a nipple twist, as long as the timing was right.

"I apologize to all the children," said Zidane. Categorically speaking, that is all of us.
Tasty arguments by all. Kudos to Andrea, Orly and bribri for the perspective, and to Sepp Blatter for dissing Yo Mama jokes. We all ask ourselves "What is soccer" and "What is sport" and "Why are there tournaments?" and then seek a moral framework to judge Zidane's actions. Was there provocation? Was it adequate? Did Zidane see it as eye-for-an-eye? Had Zidane successfully knocked Materazzi out of the game, would we have had a better story line, free from the "racist" and the "thug"?
Res Judicata. It's over, and the France-Italy fire has been stoked for the next three generations. The one thing I know for sure about Zidane now, is that he has not picked his battles wisely.
To Colin: Forgiveness is just a matter of time (witness Gaza this afternoon, perhaps a veeeeeery long time). People never forget how others made them feel, and obviously Zidane provides moments of pure ecstasy that have far outweighed the bad. So...thanks for the reminder? So...things like this happen all the time? Should not and does not prevent us from condemning wrongful acts, and, in an American legal sense, from pointing out that the elements of both a criminal and tortious civil act were present in the same set of facts. I youtubed Materazzi to go along with my Zidane fix, and lemme tell ya, that guy is a thug, too. At least occasionally, he is.
Bar exam, schmar exam. Andrea, your vacuum legal analysis was sufficient, but you neglected to address the vagaries of German law. I know, I know, not a tested subject. I also am counting down 12 days to the essays, 13 to the MBE. Good luck all (unless you're taking Illinois, in which case I hope you misalign your multiple choice bubbles) and to all a good day.

I feel bad insulting you if you were a girl but not if you were a guy.

It's always been about equality with you. My little Zizou, can't we just be friends? How about you and me, South Africa 2010. And if you can't wait that long the Euro in 2008.

If you still feel the need to insult me after my loving jester, please just do it. I assure you I can take it. You already know my stance on violent retaliation, so you don't have to worry about me head butting you or twisting your nips. Unless you are into it. But I want to let you know that I will not, under any circumstance head butt you in the nipples

Gesture not jester. But I will send you one of those too

Here is the FIFA fairplay program says:

"The generic concept of fair play is a fundamental part of the game of football. It represents the positive benefits of playing by the rules, using common sense and respecting fellow players, referees, opponents and fans."

(see here: http://www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/fairplay/0,1256,0,00.html)

All sports are practised without discrimination of any kind and in the spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Materazzi's admission that he did insult Zidane violates the FIFA's "fair play". I think FIFA should take a strong disciplinary action against both Materazzi and Italian team. It must set an example to the world for the future games that no players or team dare not use abusive languages or any such tactics in the field that violate the principles of "friendship, solidarity and fair play." Otherwise these are mere words which are never practiced.

Otherwise, all countries should re-think if they would like to send their team to the next FIFA world cup for their team members to get humiliated or not. (or, prepare them with even worse insulting languages for Italians).

So what it is a FIFA World Cup? If their board members cannot protect the self-respect of players like Zidane, I think that organization must not exist on the face of this earth. Nothing is more important than the player's self respect for their country. Including the United States.

And, what Zidane did, I think we all must celebrate. At home and abroad.

Zizou, you're making all kinds of friends. Why would you feel bad insulting a woman but not a man? Sexism? Misplaced chivalry? Boring, either way.

As for me, my opinion is that Zidane deserved to win the Golden Ball, but he is absolutely a thug. Footballers all try to wind each other up, but snapping 10 minutes into extra time is just stupid on his part. I don't care what was said.

Materazzi might have been wrong in what he said, but so what? Those are words. If Fifa censures him, they're just as wrong as Zidane was to head-butt him. It's a time-honored tradition in sports that you try to wind up your opponent into getting them to do something stupid. You see it time and time again at all levels of sport, and in all sports -- American football; footie; hockey; and probably tiddlywinks too, for all I know.

I agree that they should respect each other on the field. But, -and if you don't mind-, explain to me why I should be celebrating what Zidane did?

Cant we all just get along?

Really no insults please (you too Jon!...just joking). Look there may be some value to bring in other sports, for example that Todd Bertzoni (sp?) in hockey who faced criminal proceedings (or is he the guy who got jumped from behind on the ice???) for his on ice activity. I mean if Materazzi had suffered a heart attack due to the impact then dont you think Zizou would be facing some criminal complaint? So give Andea a break!

OK here are my questions to Jon and our posters:

1. Since when did trash talking creep into soccer. I have played for 35+ years and gone to 2 WCs (tho never close enough to the pitch to hear them talk...except for Schumacher in 86) and I dont ever recall any trash talking on the field. Cussing yes but it was of the expletive kind. Anyone?

2. Did say McBride get razzed in the Italy game? Has anyone interviewed (Olsen?) the USA players to see if they experienced this?

3. Does trash talking occur in the MLS? Are there "famous" trash talkers in the MLS? What kinds of things do they say? Any DCU players that get mouthy?

4. Has trash talking been intergal to footbal historically? Did they used to trash Pele (shorty?) or Esteban? or is this a recent (America's cultural contribution to the sport....) phenomenon?

I guess I woundnt mind seeing the Post do story on trash talking in soccer. I didnt know that this was part of my beloved sport. Not to be overly sheltered (monkey calls, racists chants et al) but I just didnt know this happens on the field.

I think Fifa should punish trash talkers by instituting the soap in the mouth rule.

Just an idea

and prabs, beleive me Italians have heard every name in the book. That's why they have the thick skin, and can deal with it. Can you think of many other cultures that people openly mocked? With the mafia comments, and the meataballs, and greasy hair. I hear it all the time.
But we do have 4 stars now.

Everybody who thinks it would be stupid to arrest Zidane or sue him:

Well of course it would be stupid. There were no real damages (Medical treatment, pain and suffering) and it would be a huge waste of prosecutory resources to haul him into court for an incident that many people don't even think was wrong.

I was just pointing out another way of looking at this situation. The law is society's statement about what we think is ok and what isn't ok. It is how we agree to behave. Zidane, under US law, would have crossed that line and opened himself up to criminal and civil liability. But he probably wouldn't face real consequences.

Jimmy, Good luck to you as well. I concede that I applied US common law to an incident in a civil code country, specifically Germany, the situs of the act. Good catch. It is entirely possible that Germany has a "He insulted my mother who is in the hospital" defense to battery. I really have no idea.

All I know is New York has no such defense. Also, if I fail the damn exam it will be because I spent too many afternoons at Fado watching the tournament and here on WaPo reading the blog.

DC: why should you celebrate on what Zidane did? Well...Materazzi successfully insulted FIFA, and its international "fair play" practice. Zidane fought for his own self respect using his own wrong way...becuase if FIFA did nothing to Matterazzi, it proves that Zidane has to use the wrong way to protect himself...becuase FIFA is worthless to be trusted.

In that respect...what Zidane did ....he represented of all the football players and spectators, children and families...and FIFA itself.

I guess it is beyond your comprehension the fact that when mother and motherland becomes bigger than you...and you do what Zidane did.

Unfortunately, in this part of the civilized world people celebrate Madonna's clothes being ripped apart with children and families in the middle of the Super-bowl. It does not affect anyone's self respect.

Zidane should have kept his cool and slugged him after the match. But the person who screwed France was Domenech who played the idiot Barthez, absolutely useless, with headers(goal, header of post and questionable offside goal) and later on penalties, not guessing even once right. Secondly why wait to play Trezueguet so late as the second striker when it was clear the italians had nothing left. France reaching the final was more than they deserved but too bad Zidane had to go off into the sunset like that.

With his clout he could have made himself a FIFA board member after retirement and went about making changes to stop that type of provocation. I would celebrate that. Sounds like you are suggesting anarchy. And to say something is beyond my comprehension just because we don't see eye to eye is ignorant. I have noticed that many posters that support Zidanes actions have to rely on insults to make their point.
What can FIFA do about Materazzi anyway? Nobody knows what it was he said.
But Materazzi did play brilliant defense and score two goals. One red card which the review proved that he didn't even make contact with the Australian. He committed just 4 fouls the whole tournament.
In fact here is a link to the disciplinary stats http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/stats/detail.html?section=idc&sort=FC

Italy played a pretty clean tournament compared to France. Henry lead in fouls committed. Italy came in second in goals scores, 3rd in goals against after the Swiss that played 4 matches and Angola that played three.
Well, the stats speak for themselves. Italy outplayed everyone.

Materazzi: one red card 0 yellow and committed 4 fouls and scored two goals
Zidane: one red card 3 yellow card committed 12 fouls and scored three goals (2 from Pks)

Maybe the disciplinary action Fifa took on Materazzi in the past worked. Zidane obviously didn't learn much after his back stomping incident.

Since when did stats mean anything in football? By the way, has anyone seen th movie Green Street Hooligans with Elijah Wood? Pretty good movie, thoroughly enjoyed it. Wish the streets would be empty for football games around here.

How Real Americans view soccer

http://www.travisandjonathan.com/RSUworldcup.html

DC: I couldn't have said it any better

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008636&mod=RSS_Opinion_Journal&ojrss=frontpage

"Has trash talking been integral to football historically? Did they used to trash Pele (shorty?) or Esteban? or is this a recent (America's cultural contribution to the sport....) phenomenon?"

For that matter, was it part of the game when the Football Association was established in 1863? If not, perhaps it is just another example of defining down deviance.

The American video was funny, thanks for sharing. The article was interesting. Did you see how the author made his point with out feeling the need to insult his audience?
Can we agree that Zidane will be remembered as one of the greatest and agree that he did a stupid thing?

Arena out, Donadoni in. The news just keeps on coming. We could (and should!) keep this blog going until South Africa 2010.

I'll agree with you on that DC.

Great!
and South Africa 2010?

Mr. Jon De Nunzio,

Where are the new stories for us to comment on? Arena out? Next manager? Italian scandal? new Euro club signings? How about the Brazilian league, campeonato brasil ero?

I second that.

Yes, Zidanes actions were very physical and harsh. Does that give us the right to completely over look the wonderful career that Zidane has had? Zidane is considered by many as one of the greatest soccer players of all time (including myself). He has given us a glimpse of the true beauty of the game. If we were given a scale to measure the good of Zidane's career agianst the bad, the good would surely come out on top. I admire Zidane and forgive him.

Doesn't anyone remember Totti spitting in the face of his opponent? Maradona scoring with his hand? Wayne Rooney stamping on the manhood of a portuguese player, and then shoving his Manchester United teammate? De Rossi elbowing Brian Mcbride in the face? Any of these ringing a bell? If we can forgive them, why not Zizou?

The problem is not forgiving Zidane. The problem I see is everyone condoning his act of violence against words.
And anyone who plays the game knows how much trash talking is involved. People would be in shock if they heard everything on the pitch.
Materrazi did exactly what he wanted to. Get under Zidanes skin, Zidane retaliates, then boom red card. Zidane should know better...

Let me begin that saying that I have been an Azzuri (Italy) fan all my life. I cheered them on throughout the tournament and the game against Germany put me on a high for several days.

However, the final left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I could not celebrate with the joy that I would have expected an Italian victory to bring. According to the rules of football, of course Zidan received the red card that the rules demand. But he took it like a man. He didn't complain or whine as my beloved Italian players so frequntly do. He walked right past the trophy and accepted his punishment. Accordingly Italy went on to win as they held France to a tie and then flawlessly took their penalties.

The headbutt was hardly as violent as most everyone suggests, Materazzi played it for all it was worth. To call Zidane (as some of you have) a thug is outrageous. Anyone who has even remotely followed his career would liken Zizou to say a Michael Jordan - a player of pure genius who oozed class and sportsmanship in virtually every game he ever played.

In that moment, Zizou decided or perhaps didn't need to decide that who he is as a man, a son and a brother is of more importance than his legacy as a soccer player. He chose to make THAT point part of his legacy as well. I have no problem with that at all and I watched the game with my young impressionable son.

Words and ideas can be just as volient as physical aggression. I have far more respect for a man who is willing to risk his own reputation for the honor of his mother and sister than I do for men who feel there is any kind of dignity in using vulgar and demeaning insults to taunt an opponent. Whether on the feild or on the street Materazzi was shamed as he ought to have been. He was shamed. It was more of a spanking than a truly violent act. I'll put it to you this way. If someone had similarly headbutted me, my son or brother for the same reason, I would feel that they got what they deserved.

Zizou simply showed that in addition to being a soccer genius, he is also a decent man worthy of respect. Perhaps the saddest thing is that those who are casual or mild soccer fans will remember him more for his 'tragic flaw' than for the years of jaw-dropping top-class performances for which - as a soccer player - he ought to be remembered.

Way to teach your son that violence is always the answer. I hope he doesn't play sports, because he will get tossed out of every game he plays with a simple 'yo mama' joke and let down the team...

If Jordan would have slugged Byron Russell in the Finals, I would say you can compare the two. Instead, Jordan took the ball and one the championship at the last second (while Russell was falling on the ground), while we saw a picture of Zidane ejected walking off the pitch with his head down...
Jon D, where are you...these blogs must continue!

Just because Jordan didn't slug anyone in his last Finals, it doesn't mean he wouldn't physically assault someone otherwise. Remember the battles between Pat Riley's Knicks and the Bulls when Jordan used to fight all the time with John Starks and Xavier Mcdaniel and others. Besides the NBA Finals is not an international setting where the 'us' vs. 'them' is more likely to surface.

Hey lifetime Azzurri fan. Azzurri has two R's

In the event that anyone is still reading this blog, I highly recommend the documentary "Once in a Lifetime," which I just saw. It has been playing in Manhattan and downtown Washington, and it opens this Friday (the 21st) at the Ritz Theatres in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia; does anyone know where else it might be playing?

I'd be interested in the reactions of people who are old enough to remember the NASL, as well as those who are not. Among other things, I was impressed by the fact that they actually managed to track down and interview the mascot who pranced around Giants Stadium in a Bugs Bunny costume 30 years ago.

Also, I wonder whether this is a cautionary tale for deep-pockets operations such as the Red Bulls, who have been making noises about shelling out big bucks for big names.

THIS RULING IS SCANDALOUS! Only because Zidane is French is he allowed to remain glorified in his behavior. However, because Matterazzi is Italian others are quick to criticize. When, in the history of FIFA competition, has a plyer been banned for game suspensions simply because he said something!!!!??? It was Zidane, who is known for dirty plays-remember the 1998 disgraceful Frenchman's act on a Saudi player-who is allowed permission.

Only because Materazzi is Italian has FIFA ruled against him!!!! Italians are the ones who are discriminated against!!!

http://flickr.com/photos/malela/189367540/

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