Do you think it was fair to give Zidane the best player award?

Question

I mean isn`t that sending the kids the message that it`s ok to be violent cause you get awards anyway???

When I heard that he was being given that award, I really felt that FIFA was being unfair. I mean, some players were crucified for doing much less than what Zidane did, but he still got the award. Why? Because he`s retiring? Unfair!!! Completely unfair!!!

Answer 1

It was "fair" but he shouldn't have received it.

The guy has had a great career and did well in the 2006 World Cup. From a technical stand point it was certainly fair to give him the award because he was one of many players that deserved it.

However, in light of the "headbutt seen around the world", he should not have received it. Whether provoked or not his actions were inexcusable. From a PR perspecitve FIFA should have made it a point not to give him the award to show the world that such actions are intolerable and that part of being a great soccer player is showing respect for fellow players and the game.

Answer 2

Given all the hype about FIFA 'fair play' etc, you'd think it was a good old fashioned 'Best & Fairest' award... which would have anyone carded rubbed out ! Harsh perhaps, but it would be very very good for the game. Awarding Zizou the Golden Ball is a travesty. I'm no Italy fan but Cannavaro was a much more deserving choice.

I wonder if say, a Ghanian player had played exactly the same tournament as Zidane, would he have been awarded ? Even without the headbutt I'd say no... considering that incident it would be impossible !

But he is French... and he is Zidane...

Answer 3

Zidane, was the best technical and fairplay player in the cup, until the last incident.
I was at the game, and saw this happen first hand. the italians got booed all the way into the ceremony, so did the referees. The refs ignored over and over italian mistakes and personal fouls and insults on zidane especially from matarazzi. I feel Zidane should have kept his cool for 10 more minutes. However, after so many racial insults and other insults during the game, I would have snapped too. He definitely deserves the award, and France should have won the game, by far!

Answer 4

Fabio can just say "I can't believe it's not butter". It seems a lot of folks here don't agree or sympathize with Zidane's headbutting. He might be a tempered individual but obviously Materazzi said something negatively to provoke Zinedine. And how many of you have don't something like that, and will do later on in life. So look at yourselves and step into other people's shoes before judging them. Zidane got the award for the best skill, and having a career like that obviously derserves a reward. The reward has nothing to do with headbutting somebody so just fuc-k off. The better man won, that's it. If the Italians paid of FIFA they would have received that award to. Right on "Go Brasil" The voters must know something we don't. So go back home all you italians, the coutries are all full. Atomin you just jealous, go dive in a pile of **** with C Ronaldo, and cry about it later, like C Ronaldo

Answer 5

that's just one way of looking at it. from another standpoint, kids should be taught to stand up for personal honor and dignity too. i can't presume anything about what happened with zidane 'cuz at this point all we can do is speculate. but if the award is anything to go by, i think there may have been mitigating circumstances around that incident which swayed the jury from withdrawing the prize. until yesterday, they could have changed their minds and give to it cannavaro instead. but they didn't do that. zizou still got the vote, which is saying a lot. maybe they know something we don't. plus, just like in the young player award, fair play carrries a lot of weight in the selection process so zizou must have been truly deserving.

Answer 6

I think even though Zidane is an amazing player and definitely one of the best football has seen, his display at the final lacked honor and should have played a major role in his receipt of the award. I think a player who showed skill throughout the tournament and led his team to victory while maintaining a clean game, Fabio Cannavaro, should have won.

Answer 7

Of course not. He's a bad example to soccer fans in the world. He was given the award because they red carded him bases on the stadium screen replay. Plus, he collected 2000 points while Cannavarro had 1999x points! so... it's no big deal. Cannavarro was the best player of the World Cup.
France can be proud of reaching the final over 2 illegal panalties in the semis and the final.

Answer 8

No! Utterly unfair, and preposterous! That conveys the wrong message, as you well noted.
To think thay they did not give the young player award to Cristiano Ronaldo because of his alleged dives, in spite of him being the most voted, and now they give this award to a violent player. Oh well... this was all set in advance.

Answer 9

Zidane's career was absolutely sparkling except for possibly two or three incidences (like the red card for the 3006 World Cup) that have seemed to blemish his career. He is a true footballer and yes, you do lose your cool on the pitch once in a while but he is a wonderful player.

Answer 10

Let's get all the facts first. For over 16 years Zidane has been a very good example to kids, does that count for nothing?
I am not condoning what Zizu did, but what caused a reasonable man to snap? Let's get the facts.