7-11-06, 9:01 am
“Zinédine Zidane's despicable, unfathomable act of violence” (1) has been unanimously blamed as a “stupid reaction”, a “disgrace”. “How sad that he should save the most shameful episode for the final page of his story” wrote the BBC. (2)
Yes, but why? Why did the 34 year old experienced football player who has just been awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup do it?
Guardian’s journalist Kevin McCarra wrote “there were suggestions last night that Materazzi had called him ‘a terrorist’” [emphasis added] (3)
Only Zidane and Materazzi know the truth and it would be interesting to know what they have to say about these “suggestions”.
If they are confirmed, Zidane’s gesture, far from being the “despicable, unfathomable act of violence” will be seen as the only link to reality of this World Cup.
If these “suggestions” are confirmed, that red card will tell a completely different story. Still a “stupid reaction” according to the FIFA’s rules maybe, Zidane’s act will be remembered as the most human reaction to racism and hypocrisy. He won’t be anymore the fake “hero” praised by the business-corrupted football circus but something way far more important: a man of moral integrity who didn’t sell himself and didn’t compromise for a golden cup, the money coming from it and a glossed image a world of strangers enjoyed.
If the ‘war on terror’ played a role in the 2006 World Cup, Zidane’s answer is not a disgrace but an act of courage that deserves to be acknowledged for what it is.
If Italian football player Materazzi really called Zidane ‘a terrorist’, FIFA should strip Italy of the World Cup and leave the 2006 tournament without a winner.
Whatever decision the FIFA will take, people could still make their voice heard by boycotting the Italian football team wherever and whenever will play.
Football – and not only in Italy – doesn’t live by itself on a far away planet. In times of ‘war on terror’ and ‘preemptive wars’, Zidane’s gesture has the power of a strong and just call to reality. If Italian football player Materazzi really called Zidane ‘a terrorist’, Zidane’s gesture should be seen for what it really represents: a political statement directed to all of us.
NOTES 1) Losing the plot. Zidane was a disgrace, but it was Domenech who cost France the match, Rob Smith, Guardian, 9 July 2006 2) Zidane's red mist, By Phil McNulty, BBC News, 9 July 2006 3) Italy strike gold as Zidane sees red, Kevin McCarra, Guardian, July 10, 2006
--Gabriele Zamparini is a writer, filmmaker and activist at http://thecatsdream.com
