 From Yahoo .. Materazzi admits insulting Zidane ...Marco Materazzi admits he insulted Zinedine Zidane before the France captain head-butted him in the World Cup final. Materazzi denies calling him a "terrorist." "I did insult him, it's true," Materazzi said in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I categorically did not call him a terrorist. I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is."
Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time of Sunday's final in Berlin. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy won the game in a penalty shootout. Now here is something that we should also know:
Materazzi is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended for two months for punching Siena defender Bruno Cirillo after a Serie A game in February 2004, and earned condemnation following a brutal tackle on Sweden and Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in October 2005. Materazzi was also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season.
One Italian senator even suggested that Materazzi — also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season — didn't merit selection for the Italian team because of his physical style.
Zidane also is known for having a temper. He was sent off for stomping on a Saudi Arabian opponent at the 1998 World Cup, while at Germany 2006 he was banned for France's group match against Togo. Five years ago with Juventus, Zidane head-butted an opponent in a Champions League match against Hamburger SV after being tackled from behind. Thing is, it takes two to make things happen. What is there to investigate. One admitted to insulting the other, and the other reacted. Oh puhleeze .. don't give this holier than thou Bull**** .... YOU would probably do the same if you were provoked ... and in the heat of the moment, ANYTHING can happen. Don't worry about it being a BAD example to other kids .. they can see more damaging things than a head butt .. they saw Maradona scoring a goal with the HAND, they can see other innocent kids blown up by the Israelis, they can see other kids dying of hunger in African countries, they can see kids sleeping in the streets ... and many more .. a head butt .. hah .. aiyaaa .. tak tau lah ..
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