Zidane pays for his unethical behaviour

Eight years in France '98, the world danced to his tune. Yesterday (July 9, 2006) at Germany 2006, the world saw red as it were, even as a global audience watched in shock, horror and dismay as Zinedine Zidane, 34, retraced his steps and with one vicious attack ended his glorious career by headbutting Marco Materrazi in the chest. What a shame, what a pity, what a way to end a career. In one moment of madness, Zidane erased the collective memory of his famed football skills from the minds of soccer lovers and left the imprints of an impulsive and uncalled for foolish act.
AFTER the red card by referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina, TV footage showed Zidane alias Zizou go down the stairs towards the locker room past the World Cup which was on the side as he went down. His going down was symbolic because the glittering gold World Cup was standing tall on the podium even as he walked down the steps. Zidane could have lifted it up in his hands, but here he was going down. The scene was very poignantly captured on TV.

It was unclear how much impact Marco Materazzi had in inspiring Zinedine Zidane to headbutt him in the chest during the extra time on Sunday. But it seems that the last red card of World Cup 2006 was reserved by destiny for Zinedine Zidane. For the record books, this was the 28th red card, a World Cup record. The previous being 22 reds ironically in 1998 where Zidane was the hero.

LATER, during the post match discussion between my wife and me, she expressed sorrow for such a great player. But my point was clear. If he was intentionally red carded then all sympathies with Zidane, but here was a criminal act being committed in front of a billion viewers in the beautiful game of football. Unforgivable, uncalled for and totally unethical.

THE ONLY redeeming thing for the France captain is the Golden Ball award awarded to him for being the tournament's best player. Journalists overwhelmingly voted in favour of him. Italy caption Fabio Cannavaro lost out in this vote. Small consolation for Zidane who was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.