As I wrote on this blog during the World Cup and discussed on a local sports radio show as a soccer guest, Marco Materazzi was guilty before the truth came out. The irresponsible accusations in the Daily Star hurled toward him only served to allow Zidane to escape facing his actions for head-butting a fellow footballer. I did my best to bring objective perspective to this but one of my predictions did come true: I said that in due time, Materazzi would be vindicated.
The Daily Star publicly apologized. Materazzi accepted.
Following the head butt incident, the Italian Soccer Federation were no match for the French public relations machine that went into overdrive in protecting its fallen star. Furthermore, coupled that with a racist article (and let's be frank it was racist. Not "satire") published in Der Spiegel this was not a pleasant time for Italian players. In fact, it may have strengthened their resolve.
The act was surreal in itself. The reaction to it was even more extraordinary. With scant proof (except for Materazzi's reputation as an instigator and agitator not unlike hockey player Sean Avery of the New York Rangers) the Star assaulted and smeared the name of a player. The fall out? It went as far as to lead to death threats.
Finally, the soccer world can put this to final rest.
Unless of course the mouth that roared Shlepp Blatter decides to weigh in with another one of his profound and bias ruminations. Last, Italian soccer fans will never forget that Blatter was the first FIFA president to break traditional protocol and not present the trophy to Italy.
Indeed, it was a classless display.
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