Posted on 07/09/2006 3:34:19 PM PDT by SkyPilot
BERLIN (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane cut short his dazzling World Cup and closed his career with an ugly head butt -- and a loss.
The France captain was given a red card for slamming the crown of his bald head into the center of Italy defender Marco Materazzi's chest after the two exchanged words while walking down the field in extra time.
The game was tied 1-1 when Zidane was sent off, head bowed, in the 110th minute Sunday. Without their sharpshooting captain, France couldn't unlock Italy's defense and went on to lose in a shootout, 5-3.
Zidane's strike was clearly intentional, and referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina briefly consulted with his assistant referees before showing the 28th red card of the tournament. The previous World Cup record of 22 red cards, set in 1998, was broken before the quarterfinals round began.
Zidane, whose sparkling play carried France much deeper into this tournament than anyone expected, previously said he would quit soccer when it was over. He passed coach Raymond Domenech as he walked off but did not look at him -- then continued past the golden World Cup trophy and disappeared into the tunnel, his head still down.
Earlier in Sunday's match, he had given France the lead with a seventh-minute penalty -- his 31st goal for France and third in a World Cup final. Zidane was treated for what appeared to be a shoulder injury in the 80th minute; trainers took him off but he returned, holding his right arm awkwardly and wincing in pain.
Minutes before Zidane was sent off, France striker Thierry Henry was substituted for in favor of Sylvain Wiltord. In the first half, Henry bumped his head in a collision and crumpled to the ground, then went briefly to the sideline and returned.
Eight years ago, Zidane was red-carded for stomping on an opponent while playing Saudi Arabia. At this World Cup he collected two yellow cards and was suspended for France's third group match against Togo.
Five years ago, Zidane was also red-carded for butting Jochen Kientz in a Champions League match for Juventus against Hamburger SV. A year later, his volley gave Real Madrid its ninth European title.
Zidane headed in two goals when Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0 for the World Cup title in 1998.
That's good news. Maybe more French Muslims are like that and the majority will westernize over time.
LOL
Could Zidane have gotten angry because Materazzi had reached around his body from behind and put his hand on his chest? Was that a 'normal' gesture in soccer?
The referee made the right call. To do that to your opponent is a disgrace. France fully deserved to lose just for Zidane's unsportsmanlike conduct alone. In this championship game, France got a big fat red card. A loss.
Sorry, I looked at it again, the guy was not expecting it at all. Look at the force Zidane put into the butting.
Let's see you get head-butted in the chest by a trained athlete, and see if you're still on your feet.
Anyone trained in martial arts knows that a hit to the sternum can kill someone, and especially if the person being hit doesn't expect the blow to occur, as is the case here.
I will be interested to hear what the media reports tomorrow of what was said, or not said.
Either way, I doubt the Italian could have called his mother a son of rug salesman or something else that would have justified what Zidane did.
Anyway, there are more honorable ways to be sent off to save face if a player is in too much pain to continue.
LOL
Sure it would've staggered him, but he went down like he was friggin shot.
He embellished it. There is absolutely not one doubt in my mind about it.
It doesn't lessen the stupidity or the fact that the act was a definite foul, but the act was truly unnecessary and was VERY soccer-esque.
Good List But I would delete Rodman and ad Pete Rose All star game.
He embellished it. There is absolutely not one doubt in my mind about it.
So I guess you know this because you've been head-butted unexpectedly in the chest many times.
Even the two American World Cup announcers said that during the broadcast.
Your comment has me thinking though:
Zidane was walking away when the Italian said something, which was probably over the top, from Zanes POV.
I wonder if Zidane will say it was something anti-Muslim?
What about Tonya Harding getting the other figure skater attacked and injured. (forgot her name)
LOL
ok, because a soccer player has NEVER embellished something like that.
Look at the left leg.
LOL
LOL. Couldn't get enough of the Artese clips. Literally mugged by fans using their tools of beer, popcorn and spit.
That scene set back the NBA five years if such a thing were possible.
Hey, wait a minute! Are you...?
Nancy Kerrigan
Bet your arse :)
nah, since I was a small guy (comparatively) wrestling heavyweight, he decided to shoot on me, but he screwed it up (being 6'6" will do that too ya) and he caught me about chest level.
Didn't even knock me down but I didn't try to kick my left leg out like this Italian soccer actor/player did....
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