Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mack the knife]

Italian footballer Materazzi admits in his yet-to-be-released autobiography that the famous quip he made to Zidane during the World Cup final that caused the latter to end his stellar career with an inglorious head-butt was something along the lines of "I prefer your whoore sister."

If you've ever played any kind of sport you know that trash talk is simply part of the game. However, such jibes typically poke fun at the other guy's skills (or lack of them). Can you imagine what would happen in the NBA or NFL if the players started taking pot shots at each other's families? It would be a bloodbath. Just look at the brawls they get into when fans simply harass them.

Most likely anyone would have reacted, instinctively, in the same manner as Zidane. The sad ending to this story is how one great player capped off a fantastic career with defeat and shame while another, more villainous one, walked off the field with the trophy, all smiles.

[plato's republic]

Materazzi had the tournament of his life at last year's World Cup. Two goals and a converted penalty in the shoot-out, not forgetting the red card he picked up against the aussies. I'm not defending what he said but if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Zidane had a history of being sent off for stamping and lashing out at opponents.

[just another day]

zidane is dope.

[waltjocketty]

[just another day]

i think its okay to hit your opponent if he talks about your sister or mom.

[mack the knife]

[mikowee]

The insult was fairly mild, imo. The kind of stuff you'd hear anywhere in competitive sports. But bloodbaths? Are you kidding? When these guys make it to the top of their sport, they've already dealt with a lot of *beep* and ppl trying to get under their skin along the way. They wouldn't be where they are if they couldn't handle it.

I wouldn't advise saying it to them on the streets, but in a pro sports environment in front of cameras, fans, and teammates, they can't afford to lash out selfishly. Some players are more susceptible to taunts, and sometimes players just have a moment of weakness, but in the majority of situations, a comment like that wouldn't spark anything physical.

[smogdonkey]

[mack the knife]

[mikowee]

^I have followed the NBA. I assume you're talking about the brawls at The Palace and MSG. In both cases, verbal taunts were not the impetus for the brawls. Also, both cases involve younger players lacking maturity or a headcase like Ron Artest.

[mindmetoo]

There's a lot of open racism in soccer, no? It's gotten so bad they stop games and ban clubs if they can't control their fans.

I read once that (native) Indians in Canada make some of the best hockey players in the junior leagues but there's so much racism from the stands ("scalp him!") that they tend to drop out. I don't know how true that is. I personally find it hard to believe all would drop out and wouldn't rise to the challenge.

[plato's republic]

The incident in question had nothing to do with racism.

[Adventurer]

Actually, I think Zidane was viewed with more esteem than Materazzi. Italians don't particularly care for someone insulting their sisters or mothers. You can ask any self-respecting Italian about that, so they understand what Zidane did even though it was foolish. Also, you forgot to mention that Materazzi grabbed Zidane's uniform before that and Zidane got the insult after that and had enough. If the referee saw Materazzi grab Zidane, he probably would have called a foul, at least.
Zidane is a much better player and is very much admired. His name recognized far more than Materazzi's. I was cheering for the Italian team, but my hat goes off to Mr. Zidane.

[plato's republic]

Shirt-grabbing in football goes on all the time. Players of Zidane's quality have experienced much worse, but reacting the way he did to Materazzi's jibe wasn't the smartest thing he ever did on a football pitch. World Cup final match heading to a penalty shoot-out..? He had a characteristic rush of blood to the head and flipped. I didn't tip my hat to him. I celebrated Italy's victory

[mack the knife]