But WHY is 90+ minutes of verbal and physical bullying and brutalizing considered absolutely acceptable and why do we expect our players never to react? France coach Aimee Jacquet said of Zidane’s stamping on the Saudi player in 1998 “It’s wrong of course, but if you go out on the pitch every single time — and they deliberately try to destroy you — because that’s what they’re doing — and you have no protection — and this happens *every single time* — is that not an explanation?” Meaning, the referee never acts to prevent you from being singled out. Zidane’s entire career was about fending off teams who singled him out and for the most part he never reacted. Both Pele and Maradona experienced the same thing — and they broke down a few times as well, using elbows and headbutts in reaction. Pele put a player in the hospital once. The only reason Zidane is singled out is that 2 billion people saw him and we have the internet to talk about it.

Why can’t you distinguish between an explanation and a justification? The police investigate motive to solve crimes to understand WHY. It is very relevant WHY Zidane did what he did at his last game, during the final of a world cup.

Oh come on. It was a calculated risk. There were less than 10 minutes before penalties, getting France’s best penalty taker off the pitch would certainly be worth losing one man. They’d still be even at 10 men. Your response holds no water.

And don’t tell me about Zidane’s history, I know it well, I’ve been watching him since his last year at Bordeaux. Tell me, how long have you been watching him? Seems that the whole world now is full of Zidane football experts based entirely on one moment in one single match. And I also know Materazzi’s history (which you hypocritically discount).

I put the blame exactly where it belongs: on both Zidane and Materazzi. But I guess you’re one of those people who thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to hurl personal obscenities repeatedly at opposing players, even during the final of a world cup. Sorry, I agree with the NBA, which banned personal insults in order to avoid situations that could escalate into violence.

Interesting report from Yahoo news today:

“France captin Patrick Vieira thinks the apologies should go both ways.

‘I think Zidane is waiting for Materazzi to apologize also for the insults he used,’ Vieira said.

Vieira, who is Materazzi’s teammate at Inter Milan, said he chatted with him before leaving to join the France squad. ‘He told me he is disappointed not to be here,’ Vieira said. “He’s a very cheerful guy, but he loves to wind people up. Sometimes you need to know when to stop.’”

I think you should look at Zidane’s record of violence while we’re looking at history. This was neither man’s first time at the dance, but it was Zidane who lost it. Accept the truth and put the blame where it belongs.

Very interesting point, that would explain (not excuse) his actions on the field that day.