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JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

True... But then, he KNEW what would set Zidanne off. Given his violent career, he had done it numerous times in the past.

Also, with a career as long as his, it was no secret that comments about his: Algerian heritage, his mother, or his sister would make him go off...

He shouldn't have been SO surprised...

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Eva pilot posted

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

You know, funny thing about that incident... I had a conversation with someone about that the other night, and he was rather angry, saying that professional athletes who behave in such a way should be banned from the sport and should never be allowed to play.

My response? Why? I don't agree with that. Sure, there should be some consequence but nothing nearly so harsh as kicking them out...

See, here's the thing: just because someone makes 5,000,000 Euro a year doesn't make them a better person than the rest of us. As much as we love to idolize such people as our heroes, plaster our walls with their images on posters and photos and screen savers, we lose sight of the fact that they are no different than the rest of us bums -- except that they can kick the snot out of a ball like we could only imagine. That's why they're getting paid the big bucks -- because they are good at what they do... Not because their character is superior to anyone else's. How many of us could honestly claim, that if someone were to start talking trash about their mothers, sisters (or what have you) that they wouldn't take a swing at them... If people are expecting that a higher salary will buy them a more patient and forgiving player, they'll almost always be disappointed.

Anyway, it's still interesting that despite it all, he won the Golden Ball anyway.

MrCAPiTUL · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 232 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Very true point, Jim. However, your friend has a good point, as well. If you, as a teacher, had a student say something about your mother, would you be allowed to headbutt him like battle-ram from He-Man? Nope. You would lose your job rather quickly, I'd imagine. Fact is, the ARE normal people like we are, but they aren't treated that way. They do, in fact, receive special treatment.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Why does the name O.J. come to mind?

Eva Pilot · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:11 am Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Match-fixing, diving, feigning injury, trash talking, last-minute-tie-score penalty victory over Australia...oh yeah best side for sure. Shhhhhhuu!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I'm not trying to say the Italians have no talent, but as I said earlier, unfortunately they have a reputation for something usually related with water, not international football. An interesting take on why Aussies and Americans are better at football in an article (perhaps in the Herald) announced that they couldn't understand why male sportsmen who played international football acted like such sissies Laughing

!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Hmm good point about the appropriateness of violence anywhere. Though I think our relationship with students is a different one from players on opposing sides in a football match.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Eva Pilot · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:39 am Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

If you say so. Anyway, fair to say that Italian soccer's recent demotions reflect the state of their play and integrity.

Eva Pilot · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:41 am Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Sounds to me that when they are at their cheating best they win the cup.

Eva Pilot · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:18 am Post subject: