Were the FIFA sanctions against Zidane and Materazzi fair? What should Zidane do for community service?

Question

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"Zinedine Zidane will perform community service as penance for his infamous head butt on Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final. Materazzi didn't get off unscathed, either.

The French midfielder, voted the best player in the championships, also was fined $6,000 by FIFA on Thursday and agreed to work with children in lieu of a three-game suspension. The penalty is irrelevant because at 34, Zidane has retired from soccer.

Materazzi, the Italian defender who provoked the head butt by insulting Zidane, was suspended for two games and fined $4,000."

Answer 1

good they both got punished they both deserved it

Answer 2

Ditto in response to questions presented by Juventina. It's Fair - like it or not it was placed in the rules and FIFA did have to act on it. Even Cannavaro stated that what Materazzi said to Zidane was very, very, ugly. It will probably be a very long time before any of us will know the truth of the matter but in the meantime it puts the case to rest. Zidane is out - retired - like him or not, he is serving his penance in the only way he can given that he will not be returning to the pitch. Materazzi can now say that what he said was wrong and that he accepts FIFA's ruling. He can actually redeem himself in the end by accepting the consequences of the decision whether he agrees with it or not. In truth, FIFA could have been far more outreaching in how they choose to resolve this issue but it seems they have effectively dealt with the issue without being unduly punitive to either offender. I'm sorry that you don't feel that way. I truly respect the passion with which you support the Italian team but in the long run I think you will agree that this is a decision that everybody concerned can live with. As has been said in the past, Materazzi does not make up the entire Italian team. There are many other good players and no reason to think that they can't go out there and accomplish what needs to be accomplished in the qualifiers without him. In fact, if they do, how humbling that would have to be for him to see that they can win without all the nastiness he brings into the game.

Answer 3

Toto Singapore: Well-said. The punishment was fair. Zidane deserves some blame, and many people just don't realize the fact that Materazzi shouldn't be entirely at fault for the incident. Zidane didn't have to react in that way. Even if it was his last match in his international football-playing career, he should be treated like any other player - he should be punished for any wrongdoings, regardless of his status and fame.

Cannavaro deserved the Golden Ball Award, or Pirlo, as they showed the true spirit of the game, and showed the world that football isn't just about winning. They played fair while portraying extraordinary talent in their roles.

Answer 4

FIFA is just a money-making conglomerate under the guise of being the world's governing body for football. Its raison d'etre is an insult to sportsmanship, a farce for football. Its decision regarding Zidane-Materazzi exemplifies hypocrisy to the hilt.

Answer 5

Perhaps the real victim from this sad and ugly Zidane affair is truly Cannavaro, he has been 'cheated' of a justifiably Golden Ball award. Cannavaro, the captain of the Italian World Cup winning team, arguably the best defender in the world, Cannavaro has been a rock at the heart of the Italian defence. a genuine athlete, who determinedly played every single minute of every Italian game in a sportsmanship-like fashion, with his heart on his sleeve, displaying his supreme understanding of the game and managed this impressive feat without being booked or sent off, coolly lead his Azzurri to World Cup victory (making his 100th appearance for Italy), and did it all the way with a smile!

FIFA should be promoting players like Cannavaro, role models like him are needed. How can a player like Zidane, be suspended, as he was during the group stage for collecting two yellow cards, and be sent off, yet still qualify to receive the tournament’s most prestigious individual award? Did we all forget that Zidane was also booked against Switzerland and Korea Republic, amounting to a one-match suspension for France’s last group match against Togo . How can FIFA defend this man and honor him as the player of the Tournament? Disgraceful. Shameful FIFA.

FIFA's basic rules of Fair Play are nothing short of a disgrace…as they hypocritically "try" to condone Materazzi for all his ‘alleged’ verbals. All the same, Materazzi “may” have provoked Zidane, but men of intelligence laugh it off, show self-control and do not throw the first punch. What for? Why isn't anyone protesting against Gallas' (Zidane's team player) verbal threats of abuse saying "he wants to smash Materazzi's face", or Zidane's mother who wants nothing short of "castration" for Materazzi"? Bring back the guillotine! Seems like awfully aggressive behavior, contrary to the spirit of Fair Play and much more than anything Materazzi could have dreamt of saying or let alone doing. If France had won, I doubt there be any issue at all?

People say the greatest sportsmen win the battle on the field, and the Italians proved this, in all their games, in the dying minutes of games when the odds were against them, the Italians believed in their team, their captain and their victory. Cannavaro Bravo, Bravissimo!! Fabio Grosso, another great sportsman, was voted by FOXSports as one of the Top 10 perfect athletes of all time for his World Cup 2006 performance, perhaps another candidate conveniently overlooked by FIFA? Andrea Pirlo, the mid field maestro voted 3 times the man of the match, including the final. Bravo. These are the players who should be recognised for their achievements. And one final word on the difference between Zidane and Materazzi: Zidane's header may have knocked out Materazzi; but Materazzi's towering header in the 18' knocked out France; GOAL. Simple as that.

Zidane's ban is too lenient, I guess players can now do this and get 3 matches? His barbaric actions damaged his image, so that's his true penalty. As for Materazzi, he was just too honest in admitting his words, 2 games seems fair but sets a bad precedent.

Answer 6

Definately fair though I would have added the loss of the golden ball to the list for Zidane.

For community service he should be made to help out with house remodeling for the poor. Then can use him to headbutt sections of wall that need to be removed.

Answer 7

To Toto Singapore: man, that was well written........and so very true, you my friend captured the true spirit.......and to add I myself would of given the Golden Ball to Canavaro......it's funny, around here everyone from different nationalities were praising the play of Cannavaro and Gattuso........As for the suspensions now, it's a farce........you must keep in mind here that fifa needed to send a message regardless of Zidane's retirement.......a minumum 10 game suspension for him would of been appropiate......if not more........as for Materazzi I would of pushed it up to 4 games.......and I gotta agree with you on something else......how in the world can fifa allow a player who received a total of 2 red cards during the tournament the Golden Ball?.....His head-butt was disgraceful.......but to go further..........his second yellow card against Korea was vicious........you can take a look at his actions on this website......http://www.soccerultra.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=45&g2_itemId=2735.............and in conclusion........your comment on about Gallas and what he said.......that can be punished by Fifa......they have the authority to do it but doubt they will seeing that they have no balls........maybe somehow we should find a way to start something and get it to fifa.............the end!!.........Bravo Azzurri...........Bravo Italia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......

Answer 8

2. "As Zidane has now retired from international football, the committee took note of Zidane's pledge to do three days of community service work with children and youngsters as part of FIFA's humanitarian activities." from FIFA website

I can't answer at question 1. Can only handshake TotoSingapore

*******toto!*****
***YOU***ARE***GREAT***

Answer 9

Well, now we know that according to FIFA:
a) Headbutting and spitting are the same (3 games suspension).
b) Elbowing another player during play is worse (4 games suspension) then reacting to insults with a headbutt.
c) Insulting another player's mother and/or sister is worse than punching another player at the end of te game.
d) Being a French world class midfielder is way much cooler then being a dirty Italian defender, and that status should be taken into account when you have to punish them.

Read this:
http://www.eurosport.com/football/worldcup/2006/sport_sto929153.shtml

Answer 10

the sanction against zidane is a joke.giving him the award is a DISGRACE.fifa has,with these decisions,disgraced itself & has tainted the image world soccer.i strongly wish that one day soon there will be some major changes at fifa,from the top down.

to toto-singapore: i applaud you Sir!

Answer 11

They are ok- I dinn't want Zidane to be punished by anyone but me... For community service he should come and take care of me cause he has destroyed me!!! Zizou Je t'aime!