paul farrugiaJul 13th, 2006 - 23:45:50

if as the report states that materazzi admitted that he had insulted zidane and as mr blatter said that zenedine might loose his trophy i sincerely hope that the football authorith take as much action against materrazi for his unsporting behaviour by insulting zenedine with the hope that he zenedine would loose his temper and do just what he did do and get himself sent off thus being unable to participate in the penelty shoot out which was exactly what italy were aimimg for.this sort of unsporting behaviour needs to bee taken seriously by the foodball authorities as it seems that during the world cup we saw this kind of behavious case in question ronaldo and rooney.

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MarkJul 14th, 2006 - 00:31:36

If all it takes is an insult to get someone punished, then all players will be thrown out. In fact, I expect a player to say that opponent, simply by his presence, insults his eyes. Let's get real here. These are the kinds of things school children learn. Zidane should grow up at some point, and accept that he selfishly blew the game for his team and country, just because of words uttered by the opponent.

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SteveJul 14th, 2006 - 01:24:33

What a joke. If FIFA has an insatiable need to investigate something, why don't they start with the horrid rules of the games greatest stage. Yellow cards that accumulate, yeah, we can relate to that. Imagine getting 5 fouls in an NBA game and having to sit the next game. Better yet, how about a technical today and another one in three weeks. Oops; sorry you can't play the next game, too many technical fouls. Imagine an NFL game and you get caught holding 4 times in a game and they don't let you play the next day. Brilliant. Another major issue is the diving and fake injuries that slow up the game and appear to be obvious attempts to cheat. Hit the players where it hurts, fine them after the fact. Review tape and fine the player, not the federation. No pay, no play. Make it significant and it will stop. Want to sit a player down, sit them down for diving.

How about three substitutions in a tournament that lasts a month. Imagine a tie in baseball being decided by a home run hitting contest at the end of nine innings. Players were tired and the quality of play suffered. You can put 18 on the bench, let them play. At the least, how about an extra sub or two for the extra time.

Many reasons this game suffers in the US, but there are things, simple things that can be changed to make it more appealing. You say you don't care what the US thinks, hogwash! FIFA would return in a heartbeat to see filled record breaking crowds once again if they had the opportunity. I hope we are the contingency plan for 2010 if the South Africans can not build the infastructure required in time.

I love this game and I loved the cup, even with the ref problems and aforementioned issues. All I'm saying is, it could be better.

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HerveJul 14th, 2006 - 02:04:01

My emotions have gone up and down the last few days. At first, I was angry at Zizou when I saw the head butt so late in the game. They, I went completely the other way, both feeling sorry for him especially if he or his mother or sister was the object of racist comments. Now, after a few days, it is all sinking in. We lost THE WORLD CUP, something that only happens every four years. My team, France, began not so well. I didn't think they would even make it out of the first round. And then slowly but surely, they began to win and do well. And before I knew it, we were in the final, and I could taste 'la victoire!'. And it has all gone up in smoke. And why? Because one player, Zizou, decided to have it go that way. He did not ask his team mates or anyone else, he simply decided that whatever words were said were worth sacrificing the team, country, and all the French all over the world. I now believe this was a selfish and childish act. I still like Zizou and I think he is the greatest player on the pitch I have ever seen, but I cannot forgive him for what he has done. He should have known better.

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andyJul 14th, 2006 - 17:10:59

all i can say is wow...what an ending to the world man! i was blown...totally blown away!!!!!!

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NickJul 15th, 2006 - 06:50:36

Tha fact is zizou life about to turn upside down with his reaction, he have to live with it until his doom day. THAT IS THE FACT

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RobertAug 13th, 2006 - 23:34:20

zinadine zadane is a little weaklimg and over reakded to do somthing stupid like headbutting Marco materazzi in the chest.

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