Rumours are swirling that Marco Materazzi called Zinedine Zidane a "terrorist" or called his mother one. Judging by this guilty-sounding statement from the Italian, there's more to come from this story:
"It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means," the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Materazzi as saying after the Italian team returned to Rome.
"The whole world saw what happened on live TV," he added.
Why not tell us what you did say Marco? Even the Sun and Daily Mail have alleged on their front pages today that this is what was said.
Both newspapers are talking about this in racist terms though. This is more specific - it's Islamophobia and it's better to acknowledge that, just as if he was Jewish and insulted because of that, it would be termed anti-Semitism.
Zidane has been a symbol of unity in France as a son of Algerian immigrants. This vitriol that Materazzi is said to have poured on him will be no less significant a symbol of the way Muslims are viewed in Europe at the moment.
The difference between the two teams at lineup was stark. Seven of France's players were black or Arab, and another (Ribery) was a Muslim convert.
From the Italian side we know that goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has had his flirtations with racism. He was criticised for choosing to wear the number 88 on his shirt a few years ago, signifying 'HH' - Heil Hitler. I also remember reading an interview with him a while back where the journalist said that he was reading racist literature when he met him. For all the world I sadly can't find this piece now though I remember it clearly. In 1997, members of the national team refused while in Poland to make a visit to Auschwitz.
In a country where the Prime Minister will defend a player making a fascist salute as being "a good lad", this is perhaps to be expected. Silvio Berlusconi, who is President of AC Milan, as well owning half of the TV market, was talking about the adjacent picture of Paolo Di Canio.
Well done Zidane...you will always be a legend.
Posted by: abu | 11 July 2006 at 11:50 AM
Yass well in Zidane, next time go for his face!
Posted by: Zizou have my babies! | 11 July 2006 at 06:58 PM
Supposedly Materazzi said to him: "Is it true you're joining Celtic?"
The Sun and the Daily Mail are not reliable epistemological conduits by any stretch of the imagination. I wid haud weesht until ZZ opens his gob and gives his version of events.
Posted by: Ted | 12 July 2006 at 11:28 AM
BBC Radio 5 live too - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm
Also contains a blow-by-blow report from Materazzi of the incident, but he stops at the point of what he said!
Apparently there will be a press conference by Zizou at 7pm today.
Posted by: Osama | 12 July 2006 at 01:43 PM
whatever was said, my sympathies lie with Zidane. was Matteri not aware that Zidane's mother was not well at the time? This must have been on Zidane's mind. However much a football legend he is, and he is, he is also only human.
Posted by: ainelivia | 13 July 2006 at 11:57 AM
Unfortunately for you Osama, Zidane has categorically stated that Materazzi did not refer to his religious background in anyway, so you will have to find another cause for you to satisfy your hate mongering victimhood and Islamist persecution complex bigotry.
Posted by: JoJo | 14 July 2006 at 01:49 PM
The question still on everyone's lips is 'What did Materazzi say to Zidane'? Marco said it was an everyday insult but chose not to explain further. Zizou couldn't bring himself to repeat it. FIFA have launched an investigation to find out. But JoJo knows.
Posted by: Osama | 15 July 2006 at 11:16 AM
I really like Zidane because he plays football with style,never loses the balland hes skilful plus Materazzi is a good player too but I know this foul came with words but i don't know if mater didn' say any thing
Posted by: ossama mohamed | 23 December 2006 at 05:26 PM