Zidane red carded due to video ?

Question

Hi. I would like to know your feeling about the headbutting incident during the final. Do you think the fourth referee didn't see the real action but asked for a red card after watching the big screen of the stadium? If yes, it's totally abnormal (whereas the red card is totally justified) regarding FIFA rules. What should they do then ? They won't be able to remain silent about video in football anymore.

PS: sorry if my english 's bad

Answer 1

FIFA's response about not using video evidence sounds like an "Ooops! Yes, we saw the video but we don't want to admit it otherwise it'll open up a can of worms with people wanting video evidence to be admitted".

Come on, the case is strong for video evidence. People say that it'll slow the game down but there are ways to regulate its use so that it doesn't.

The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. In my view the Zidane incident would have gone unpunished if it weren't for video replays. Countless dives would have been dealt with more severely if we had video refereeing. It can only clean the game up.

For a sport as popular as football to be governed by a bunch of luddites is ridiculous.

Answer 2

Firstly, your English is superb.

I think video evidence WAS used but because it's not yet a policy of Fifa to use it they've denied it. They missed the incident and then realised it was too serious to let pass so someone looked at the video footage and told the linesman.

This has happened before, I think in an English domestic league game, I think Premiership, where the fourth official saw on a monitor (that some grounds have at pitchside) that something had occured and drew this to the attention of the referee. I'm sure someone will be able to remind me of what it was.

The fact is that Fifa breaking the rules on this occassion won't even be condemned because the incident was so serious that it would've been highly embarrassing if Zidane had stayed on and France had won the World Cup. Zidane had to go, by hook or by crook.

Answer 3

Well too bad Zidane had to end his career this way... its gets to a point in life (i believe it comes with aging) when u let sleeping dogs lye. He knew that was his last match, whatever was said to him he should have maintained his cool, now he will not have the send off he deserves cos people will always remember this incident whether they see the referee's decision as good or bad, the dent has been made.
Now to answer your question, yes the referee did not see the offence or hear the comment that led to the head butting, but if he did not act it would have been seen in a different light as well, people would have commented too... what if the man died? I think Fifa rules need to be revised, as long as the incident happens on the field, whether vidoe or not, an action should be taken.

Answer 4

ok , the refs said they saw what happened and did not use the replay as a means of handing out zidane a red card. If the refs say thats what happened then why isnt that good enough for all you zidane lovers? secondly the italian player denies having said things to zidane. you all are so sure that the italian player MUST have said something to zidane to make him mad and according to all you zidane lovers that last point is a given, so having said that why isnt it possible that zidane just snapped under pressure and screwed up? why do you zidane lovers blame the refs and then the italian player that was involved, but arent willing to accept the fact that maybe zidane deserved the red card and just snapped in a stressful situation? why is it everyones fault but zidanes????? oh and by the way french fans and zidane lovers, why arent any of you going on about the french player that took a dive 7 minutes into the game that resulted in a french goal?????? why?????????

Answer 5

It was ridiculous. Completely uncalled for and out of place. I mean the red card of course. In no way was it deserved unless the ref saw it first hand. That is the entire point of trash talk and retaliation. Whatever he said to Zidane was headbutt worthy, but that was not red carded simply because the ref didn't hear it. Likewise, the ref didn't see the actual action until a replay, thus rendering it moot. Your eyes can't be everywhere, but if you miss something, you miss it, just like you can't hear everything. Complete nonsense that Zidane was carded.

Answer 6

Zidane should have know better, like so many other players before him. French journalists were saying that he is known for violence and flare ups. In the end, Zidane was punished and thats that. The last game of his long career and he loses his temper. Not the way to go. Video has made it easier for referees and assistants though. God, that Portugese ref was an idiot as well.

Answer 7

Yes definitely. It has been said over and over.
The first ref did not see anything. It is the 4th ref who saw the video and reported it through the arphones to the 1st ref, who then decided to red card Zidane.
Video is not part of FIFA regulations so I think in this case everybody is to blame. Zidane, Materazzi and the refs.

And your english is absolutely great ;-)

Answer 8

Yes I do believe that the official looked at the video, and it's about time the Referee's in the game used them all the time. It would stop all sorts of bad behaviour on the field.
Look at the far rougher sport of Rugby Union the ref uses video evidence there.

Answer 9

If the officials say no video was used then no video was used. Their is no reason for them to do it and so no reason they would. Officials would simply carry on with play if none of them saw it. It takes longer to get down to asking the fourth official which is why it would have taken longer as the last man consulted.

Regardless of this though the red card was comletely justified and ZZ should have kept his cool given the situation he was in. Their are no excuses for his behaviour & he set an extremely poor example on one of the biggest world stages for which he should be ashamed.

Answer 10

I believe it was a terrible thing to happen but I also believe that video was used, and ultimately sentiment couldn't be used infront of a world wide audiance. Let's be clear about one thing. If the linesman saw anything at the time, he'd have raised his flag? So either the ref didn't see it...(hmm doubt that) or the linesman didn't raise his flag. As it turns out it was irrelevent anyway but there is no question how they came to the right conclusion, even if they 'deny' it. They always lie anyway.