Fifa launch Materazzi enquiry

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1819844,00.html

"Following Zinedine Zidane's televised statement last night, Fifa announced today they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Marco Materazzi for his role in the Frenchman's sending off in the World Cup Final.
French skipper Zidane was shown the red card after butting Materazzi in the chest during extra-time of Sunday's final, but claimed yesterday the Italian had provoked him with "hard words" about his mother and sister. He denied media reports Materazzi had called him a terrorist.

Zidane has been invited to provide a written statement by July 18. Materazzi will then be given a chance to respond before both players are called to a face-to-face hearing of the disciplinary committee in Zurich on July 20.
A Fifa statement revealed: "The decision was taken following claims made by Zinedine Zidane, who attacked Materazzi with a headbutt during the final."'

He's being investigated for insulting someone's mother during an athletic event? And we're supposed to take soccer seriously? Getting into someone's head has been a part of sport since the first caveman grunted and threw a rock.

Funny that the implication here is that it's OK to head butt someone, so long as they hurt your feelings.

but materazzi, if what zidane said is true, also broke the rules. it's supposed to be a game of class, where you don't insult your opponents. it's in the rule book.

racist elements

No problem, right? Just getting in his head. Old as the hills...

...point remains apparent though, I should think.

I'm not sure if we'll ever know what was said; and I don't know how I'd react in a similar situation, since I "won" the gene pool lottery and was born a white straight Amerikan.

will the paparazzi be stalking Materazzi? :-)

Vey!