World Cup 2006

[kurohinge1]

I really don't know about baseball, but this sort of name-calling is rare in soccer and practically non-existant "on the field" in many other popular games like Cricket, Tennis, field hockey, Athletics, Racing (F1 and others). Cannot imagine a player not being thrown out of a game with penalties/fines were such a thing were to be said at the Wimbledon or the Cricket World Cup.

Actually, sadly, "sledging" appears to have become common place in cricket:

Check this good summary in Wiki - Sledging (cricket)

There's been some poor taste and mean ones but there's also been some funny ones & retorts:

• Australian wicket-keeper Rod Marsh, to English batsman Ian Botham: "So how's your wife and my kids?" The reply "The wife's fine, the kids are retarded"
• Australian Merv Hughes to Englishman Robin Smith: "Does your husband play cricket as well?"
• Glenn McGrath to Zimbabwean Eddo Brandes after Brandes had played and missed at a McGrath delivery: "Oi, Brandes, why are you so fucking fat?" to which Brandes replied: "Cos every time I fuck your wife she gives me a biscuit!" Apparently even the Australian slips were in hysterics.

More

[Greji]

If that's the case, NEVER go to a pro hockey game!!!!

Rugby? Didn't they just bar that Aussie for wedgies?

[kurohinge1]

Rugby? Didn't they just bar that Aussie for wedgies?

You're probably thinking of the Tongan-born John Hopoate, who was playing rugby league in New South Wales and was famously suspended for 12 weeks in 2001 for sticking his finger in the bums of 3 players during a game . . . more.



They were from the "North Queensland Cowboys" so perhaps it was a "Brokeback moment".

Anyway, a wedgie would've been nicer than . . . being "digit-in-pantsed".

[Mulboyne]

Winding the other team up has been a standard part of any sport I've ever played. Cricket and rugby are probably more famous for it than football but there are more stoppages in both and so more opportunity for it. There are probably a few language barriers in global competition though Materazzi could have spoken in Italian, French, Spanish or English to Zidane and been understood. The nipple tweak was universal.

Where football authorities have stepped in is to clamp down on racism. This is partly to control the problem on the terraces. That leaves a few understandable anomalies - as I've mentioned before, calling someone a "black bastard" will draw a punishment but "fat bastard" is fine. There was controversy recently when Spanish coach Luis Aragones Materazzi was only fined 5,000 euros for referring to Thierry Henry as a "black shit" when talking to one of his playes. Aragones said he was only trying to motivate his player. That comment was made in training where there were more people present to witness it but microphones don't pick up so much during an actual game.

For some, then, the question is whether the Italian went too far but I'm fairly certain that no matter how offended Zidane was by what was said, he'll still be angry with himself that he couldn't control his temper.

[Greji]

in New South Wales and was famously suspended for 12 weeks in 2001 for sticking his finger in the bums of 3 players during a game . . .

That is unheard of bull shit and is undoubtably Aussie Rules! No proper Rugger would do more than two bums in any one game!

[nullpointer]

It is the question on every football fan's lips. What did the Italian footballer say to prompt Zinedine Zidane's shocking headbutt in the closing moments of Sunday's World Cup final?
The answer, it has emerged, was a vile stream of racial and personal abuse.
First Marco Matterazzi called the French star the Italian equivalent of 'n*****', and then insulted both his mother and his Muslim background by saying he is the 'son of a terrorist whore.

Via Daily Mail >>>

[kurohinge1]

I fear that what Zidane has done, in his moment of weakness, will simply reinforce in the minds of less honourable players that sledging, if it's extreme enough, can be "successful" in having even a veteran star red-carded.

[Greji]

Via Daily Mail >>>

Well, it certainly worked. He picked up the red card and was on his way out of the stadium forthwith. One less player for the Italian side to worry about and may just have won the game for them!

You would think a player with Zidane's savy and long experience would not have let someone get into his head that easy!

[nullpointer]

The right thing to do here would be to penalize Matterazzi as well, if there are any rules pertaining to such conduct on the field.

[canman]

What the Italian said to Zidane. Did they over hear it? If so why didn't they tell the ref, or lodge some kind of complaint. OR is it what Zidane said, he heard. Both acts were reprehensible, but unfortunatley Zidane was the one who lost his cool and was red carded.
I wonder though did it make a pick of difference whether or not Zidane was in the game or not. Henry had been substituted already so I figure Trezequet would have taken the pk none the less, and he still missed. Its not like Zidane went out in the 12 minute.
Another question, would the World Cup lose any of its luster or excitiment if it was played every three years or even two years. The reason I ask is that having it only played every four years, there is a chance that some good or great players will only be able to compete once in their careers. For example Robben of the Netherlands. They failed to qualify in 2002, he played this time, but I doubt he will be around in 2010, the way that soccer players are used up so quickly. So why not change to every third year or every second year so that players will be able to play more often.

[Mulboyne]

Another question, would the World Cup lose any of its luster or excitiment if it was played every three years or even two years.

For the top players at the top European teams, even changing it to three would be a pretty heavy burden. Steven Gerrard, of Liverpool and England, started his season on July 13th last year so someone in his position would have no recovery time. The World Cup isn't just about the finals, there is a qualification group which is very competitive in Europe. Additionally, two years after the World Cup comes the European Championship where 50 teams will compete in qualifiers to narrow down to 16 who will participate (actually, 14, since Austria and Switzerland automatically qualify as hosts). The first qualifying match is next month and the last one in November 2007 so you can imagine the scheduling nightmare of slotting in World Cup qualifiers for a 2009 tournament at the same time. Player burnout would be rife.

[Blah Pete]

WC every 2-3 years would be difficult because of the qualifications. The WC qualifiers take about two years in some regions. The problem is club vs. country.
Pro teams don't want to release players to go play for their national team and risk getting injured. Players in Europe who jet back home to the Americas, Japan and Korea usually take a while to recover from jet lag.
FIFA has compromised with the club team$ and set up international dates where the clubes have to release players.
In adition clubs have to release players for WC qualifiers and continental championships; Euro, Copa America, Gold Cup, Africa Nations Cup, Asia Cup.
Looking at the trend I think there will be less international days in the future because the $$$ in the game are starting to give the club sides more power.

[Mulboyne]

BBC:

BBC Radio Five Live asked for help from a deaf lip reader, Jessica Rees, who read the words phonetically to an Italian translator. She deciphered the insult as being "you're the son of a terrorist whore" - a translation also carried by many national newspapers in Britain on Tuesday. The BBC's Ten O'Clock News also called in experts to study the television footage of the incident and determined the following: Materazzi's first word to Zidane was "no" before he then told him to "calm down". He then accused him of being a "liar" and wished "an ugly death to you and your family" on the day the Frenchman's mother had been taken to hospital ill. This was followed by "Go f*** yourself".

[(1VB)freels]

LIke I said. he did say something about his mom!!!! What an asshole. no honor for both, but I admire Zidane more due to his defense of his mom and his principles. I would have socked the jerk myself, but seeing that he had a sholder injury, a good headbutt to the chest is just as effective!!!

[Ptyx]

If he talked about Zidane's mother the shot was inevitable. His Mother has been sick lately add to that the whole pressure of the game.
The guy also has a notoriously short temper.
Anyway it's a good exit, i wouldn't have bear seeing him disapointed after losing that game. Plus he just gave the finger to every single person that wanted to transform him into a rolemodel for france's immigrant youth.
Reminds me of Cantona's high kick in that supporter's face. The rough edges makes the myth.
Compare Pelé to Maradona for exemple...

[GuyJean]

The guy also has a notoriously short temper..

No matter how hard the Italians are getting pummeled, for some reason it still looks like they're flopping to me..

GJ

[Charles]

FIFA World Cup Bulletin:

The tournament ended 4 days ago. There are no FIFA World Cup games scheduled until the year 2010.

[Greji]

FIFA World Cup Bulletin:

The tournament ended 4 days ago. There are no FIFA World Cup games scheduled until the year 2010.

Really? Who won?

[Mulboyne]

BBC: Fifa opens inquiry over Materazzi

Italy defender Marco Materazzi faces disciplinary proceedings regarding his conduct in the World Cup final. France skipper Zinedine Zidane was sent off in extra-time in Berlin for headbutting Materazzi in the chest. Italy went on to win the title in a penalty shoot-out, but Zidane has since said he reacted to repeated provocation from his opponent. Fifa has summoned the players to attend a hearing of its disciplinary committee on Thursday 20 July in Zurich. A decision is expected later that day...more...

It's difficult to imagine FIFAdoing this if it had involved any player other than Zidane. Then again, any other player would not have attracted the intense press scrutiny and forced them to take an interest.

[kurohinge1]

This stuff is hilarious - check out the various moives & especially the game near the end:

[SIZE="4"]Headbutt heaven for the mashup brigade[/SIZE]

[Taka-Okami]

Don't know if its been posted yet or not.

http://www.footymax.com/zidane.htm

[Mulboyne]

Italian World Cup captain Fabio Cannavaro holds up a piece of green malachite which has broken off the base of the World Cup trophy. (Photo: Il Messaggero)

[(1VB)freels]

Can't take them anywhere!!!!:herring:

[mr. sparkle]

I thought you lived in Japan right now Sparkle.

Not sure what gave you that idea, dude. I've lived in SF since '89. San HO before that. No, I've never lived anywhere but No. Cali. Though I've crashed in the Pongi Preasure Parace many times, though. I think I've been to Japan 9 times since '95.

So, since I haven't live there, for me, Japan is still a baffling mystery. Especially those hostess costumes at Anna Millers. YUM.

[Taro Toporific]

FIFA World Cup Bulletin:

Really? Who won?:cool:

Sounds like gboothe was following the wrong nag.

Mad jockey lands a 'Zidane' on racehorse
Daily Mail
Zinedine Zidane claimed his headbutt was provoked by an insult about his mother. Jockey Paul O'Neill, however, is unable to use that excuse as his target was a racehorse.
VIDEO: See Paul O'Neill's headbutt on his horse here
O'Neill is now being investigated by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority and the RSPCA for headbutting his own mount City Affair. ...more...

[kurohinge1]

. . . Mad jockey lands a 'Zidane' on racehorse
Daily Mail
Zinedine Zidane claimed his headbutt was provoked by an insult about his mother. Jockey Paul O'Neill, however, is unable to use that excuse as his target was a racehorse . . .

I don't know - rumour has it that the horse niggled him about having been in an adult video with Paul's mum.

You should see his alleged half-brother -

[Greji]

Jockey Paul O'Neill, however, is unable to use that excuse as his target was a racehorse.

I heard the whole thing was provoked when the horse wispered in his ear that O'Neill's mother was a two-legged oat bag!

[AssKissinger]

Materazzi said that when Zidane offered to give him his France jersey after the final whistle in response persistent shirt-tugging by the Italian, he had replied: "I would prefer your sister."

:love2: