Reply #41: No. Absolutely wrong. [View All]

[tkmorris]

There was no "verbal argument". It is NOT apparent (nor true) that "both men were taunting each other". Matarazzi was simply spouting the worst kind of racist sexist nasty playground trash he could in an effort to get under Zidane's skin. The fact that he finally found a button to push that set Zidane off does not make him a victim. He WANTED this to happen.

Here we have two men who have committed entirely different acts. One mercilessly baited his opponent game long, taunting him not just about the game but including the basest, most vile insults possible about his family and his heritage. The other man played the game, until in a moment of weakness one of those comments caught him so completely unaware, was so over the top, that he snapped.

Is it a good thing for Fidane to have done? Of course not, especially when and where he did, but it is a thing borne of outrage, not intent. Matarazzi's actions however, are intentional, and frankly have no place in sport at any level.