Posted on 07/09/2006 3:34:19 PM PDT by SkyPilot
BERLIN (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane cut short his dazzling World Cup and closed his career with an ugly head butt -- and a loss.
The France captain was given a red card for slamming the crown of his bald head into the center of Italy defender Marco Materazzi's chest after the two exchanged words while walking down the field in extra time.
The game was tied 1-1 when Zidane was sent off, head bowed, in the 110th minute Sunday. Without their sharpshooting captain, France couldn't unlock Italy's defense and went on to lose in a shootout, 5-3.
Zidane's strike was clearly intentional, and referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina briefly consulted with his assistant referees before showing the 28th red card of the tournament. The previous World Cup record of 22 red cards, set in 1998, was broken before the quarterfinals round began.
Zidane, whose sparkling play carried France much deeper into this tournament than anyone expected, previously said he would quit soccer when it was over. He passed coach Raymond Domenech as he walked off but did not look at him -- then continued past the golden World Cup trophy and disappeared into the tunnel, his head still down.
Earlier in Sunday's match, he had given France the lead with a seventh-minute penalty -- his 31st goal for France and third in a World Cup final. Zidane was treated for what appeared to be a shoulder injury in the 80th minute; trainers took him off but he returned, holding his right arm awkwardly and wincing in pain.
Minutes before Zidane was sent off, France striker Thierry Henry was substituted for in favor of Sylvain Wiltord. In the first half, Henry bumped his head in a collision and crumpled to the ground, then went briefly to the sideline and returned.
Eight years ago, Zidane was red-carded for stomping on an opponent while playing Saudi Arabia. At this World Cup he collected two yellow cards and was suspended for France's third group match against Togo.
Five years ago, Zidane was also red-carded for butting Jochen Kientz in a Champions League match for Juventus against Hamburger SV. A year later, his volley gave Real Madrid its ninth European title.
Zidane headed in two goals when Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0 for the World Cup title in 1998.
Maybe he called him a dirty name....like, "French muslim."
Zidane's head was much bigger than the country he was representing...
Zidane describes himself as a "non-practicing Muslim".
He knows if he calls himself a non-Muslim, he is setting himself up to be killed. As famous as he is, a rebuke of Islam would be something that ignite Muslim fanatics to kill him.
On the other hand, he seems to have secularized with the rest of France (and Europe for that matter) and does not want to be known as "religious."
Zidane should to be charged with assault.
I'm especially glad the Italians won after watching that.
My daughter thinks he's cute.
How did you do that so fast?
I found it elsewhere.
So does about 90% of Italy right now...
Typical cowardly behavior from a Frenchman.
There is absolutely no F'n way that should've knocked the guy down.
Sure it's a foul and yes it should've been a red card, but he acted like he got hit with a damn TOW missle.
Give that man an EMMY!!
You saw it differently then I.
I saw the Italian player and Zidane mixing it up a bit, tanlgling with each other. Nothing illegal, just routine, but the kind of thing that starts a grudge between players during a game. Then the Italian and Zidane exchanged words, not friendly ones I assumed. Zidane was walking away when the Italian said something over the top. That prompted Zidanes action>
But given all of the above, it was a cheap shot and the SOB deserved to be thrown out.
I can think of many others far worse, e.g., the Pacers-Pistons brawl, the Kermit Washington destruction of Rudy T's face, NHL and NFL cheap shots, etc.
Congratulations to the Italians for spanking the slimy French.
Correction:
Zidane was walking away when the Italian said something, which was probably over the top, from Zanes POV.
ROTFLMAO!
Pete Rose's cheap shot in the All Star game
For shame that the world was watching this time and saw him for what he is.
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