Can you believe this?

Question

An Italian senator Roberto Calderoni has said that France "sacrificed its identity by fielding a team of blacks, Islamists and communists". Isn't this about the most racist thing you've ever heard?

Well I know that Islam and Communism aren't races but it's in general a very disrespectful thing to say!

I got the quote from the bbc. Zidane pointed this out on French tv. This is exactly what was said- He singled out the Italian senator and prominent Northern League politician Roberto Calderoli, who has been quoted as saying that France "sacrificed its identity by fielding a team of blacks, Islamists and communists".
In respone to what Mr. Calderoni said, ZIdane said,"Is that not worse than what I did?" he asked. "It shocked me."

To the catphotographer, I'm a supporter of neither team. This has nothing to do with or won or lost. It's an important issue and I just thought that maybe I should highlight it!

Answer 1

Roberto Calderoli is a right wing politician and a known controversial figure in Italy. He was forced to resign from government following his endorsement of racism towards Muslims. However, bigoted "Nationalists" are to be found everywhere: England, Spain, France, Portugal all have them. I think it's about time the human race realized this 2000 year old argument of who is better than who, is tiresome and let's move on to something more productive.

Answer 2

First off, instead of bashing just because the team you were rooting for lost (I assume) you should know the Italian reality before posting a question like this.

The Northern League in Italy is pretty much what the Front National led by Jean Marie LePen is in France. They are a bunch of morons who not only don't like foreigners, but also don't even like Italians from Rome and the South. They would like the North of Italy to be an independent Republic. The guy who said that is a senator for the Northern League, so whatever came out of his mouth is pure crap, just like when LePen talks.

Answer 3

No its not racist its simply true,

He didn't say that those races or groups were bad, but he said they took away from France's identity which is true.

However Italy have an argentinian playing for them, so that doesn't exactly scream Italian identity.

In the end though those players are the best which could represent France so it was an easy choice, but at least they are making strides in other parts of France such as schools to keep their national identity.

Answer 4

a friend e-mailed me an article of dave zirin taken from buzzflash.com. some excerpts below:

"Materazzi on the other hand, will be playing this year for the Italian team Lazio, where his father was the former coach. Lazio's fan club, The Ultras, are notorious for their Fascist-friendly politics. Lazio's hardcore Ultras, known as the "Irriducibili," have members in Italy's extra-parliamentary far right and try to use the club to recruit. The group has frequently uses racist and anti-Semitic banners, one time hanging a 50-foot banner that said their opponents were a "team of *******."

It's wrong to taint Materazzi for the actions of Lazio's fans, but there is more. Earlier this season in a match that pitted Messina against Inter in Sicily, Messina's star African player Marc Zoro famously picked up the ball and walked off the pitch in protest of the monkey chants rained upon him by Inter supporters.

In a stirring act of solidarity, many of the Inter players immediately showed support for Zoro's actions. But one opponent yelled, "Stop that, Zoro, you're just trying to make a name for yourself." That opponent's name was Marco Materazzi."

maybe the good senator fraternizes with the same group....

Answer 5

Not THE most racist thing I've ever heard, but it's close. From a public figure, it's shocking; otoh, I do not know how the Italians feel about that statement. They could truely feel the same as their senator, though I doubt it.

And unless you heard him make the statement or read it in a reputable newspaper (real or online), be wary of believing it. Many famous (and infamous) people have words attributed to them that they never thought, much less said.

Answer 6

Lets get the facts right first though. that comment was made after the French Minister said : We played against bunch of Venitans and Napolitens, bunch of Fachist people"
This was done as a response to what was said.
So we have too look at everything within its context. An insult was used in the game, that is used everyday on the pitchg, in fact by all of us on the playgrounds. Zidane is wrong. And instead of giving a full apology he said "I am sorry to the kids, but I dont regret it. I should have punched him in the face"
Hence saying to the kids: "If someone talks to trash to you go and hit them."

Answer 7

I am disappoint by the fact that a senator have said that. It proves that racism exists everywhere, and even those who should eradicate it are racists. In this world, I thing I should thank God because I was born white and Christian...otherwise it would have been hard to resist people's insults.

Answer 8

Well, and they dare to say that they never insult zidane mother. Italy should be strip off the world cup! They don't deserve it! They get zidane and the entire team moral down so they can win!

Answer 9

Not only Zidane was a stupid, violent player , a disgrace to all the French , he's now trying to be a brat by pointing finger , getting into politic trying to justify his stupidity headbutt .

If I'm French, I should be ashame .

Answer 10

I've heard worse. Is that quote in context? People do like to take things out of context to make others sound racist or bad in other ways.