World Cup: A Headbutt To The Heart of the Matter

Here are some quotes from Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane:

"He won it for what he did on the pitch," Materazzi told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was the best."

"I didn't say anything to him about racism, religion or politics," Materazzi said. "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15 and even now I still get emotional talking about her."

Zidane, who retired after his 108th appearance for France, stressed that he felt no regret about his outburst "because that would mean (Materazzi) was right to say all that."

"My act is not forgivable," Zidane said. "But they must also punish the true guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes."

"Je n'excuse pas, mais je comprend." (I do not excuse but I understand) French soccer commentator.

"....Il dit qu'il condamnable. Il faut aussi lui dire qu'il est pardonnable." (He admits he is condemnedable. But we must also tell him we pardon him) Michel Hidalgo.

"Des excuses, pas de regrets," (Some excuses, no regrets) Headline in sports magazine L'´Equipe.

For those who want an in-depth story about the World Cup I point you to the excellent French sports magazine 'L'équipe.' They did a good job of explaining the whole thing. Just translate the pages off google. Incidentally, they don't buy the excuse. In fact, I have spoken to friends and family in Switzerland and France and the country is literally divided on the issue. The silver lining in this? At least 50% of people are getting it right. Please allow me to indulge myself the rest of the way.

I ask: As a French lawyer seeks to annul the match, who are the classless here? The reason why I am pushing this is because it astounds me how Materazzi has been made to be the only bad guy. While Mr. Materazzi may be far from innocent, the bottom line is that Zidane lost his cool - which wouldn't be the first time. If there is any sympathizing to be thrown his way it's through the fact that the weight and pressure on his shoulders were impossible to manage as a nation demanded he bring home the cup. Not because he was called names on a pitch. If a racial slur was spewed, this is symptom of a bigger problem for FIFA as this is a widespread problem in Europe.

Depending on the nature of the attack and the setting the response must be appropriate. In this instance, he was in a major match that may have cost his team. That was the consequence of his actions. I guess he never heard of the term 'revenge is a dish best served cold?' This was the ultimate act of self-indulgent vigilantism. The act was not justified given the context. He was better off slide tackling him and getting a yellow card.

Observing how France has spun the story, it reminds how contemporary France has yet to come to terms that they are second rate power now. England has realized it, Germany remains lost and Italy, in their eternal indifferent and cynical realism, gave up long ago.

Someone told me in jest it is easy to target Italy because they are immodest. Maybe. Don't know if an 'immodest index' exists but that's the perception for some and sometimes (if not often) perception drives the reality. In any event are they more so than other countries?

Americans know this all too well.

France has skillfully pulled one of the great Houdini acts of the 20th century (thanks in part to American tolerance) when they fooled everyone into believing they remained a relevant power despite any last remnants of military greatness died in 1918. Machiavelli would be proud - sorta.

The French, as I have pointed out, are a society that quarrels and theorizes. It's no coincidence they, produced many great 'philosophes' during the Enlightenment. What works for them works for them.

This is why it's such a big story out there - they are over thinking the actions of Zidane. Again as I mentioned elsewhere, this is the great French PR machine at work.

What we are witnessing is one country taking the moral high ground to protect a tarnished star and another not even bothering to play the game because each has decided their place in the world.

All this because of a headbutt? Yup, all this because of a headbutt. Such is soccer.