Marco Materazzi is just another player that seems to be determined that the game of soccer should take a dive or become the game of buttheads. For an example you should look no further than Paolo Di Canio and the Irreducibli at Lazio that worship him.
But the rot starts from the top. From coaches like Luis Aragones and Oleg Blokhin who make openly racist statements. To the far right politicos like Jean Marie Le Pen who complained that it was hard to see what was so “French” about the 1998 World Cup team. Some politicians in Italy were not merely content with winning the World Cup, as we find out with Roberto Calderoli, the former minister of reform and a member of the right wing National Alliance Party, who said that Italy had vanquished a French team made up of, “Negroes, Communists, and Muslims.” The Jewish quarter in Rome was desecrated by Swastikas during post game festivities.
Individual soccer federations are the worst, preferring to turn a blind eye to the problem or at most issuing a piffling fine to the soccer player that just takes away what they earn in an hour. The player learns nothing from these slap on the wrist punitive measures. FIFA also has been notoriously lax about enforcing the non-discriminatory policies.
Hmmm. Marco Materazzi is a racist goon who formerly played for Everton, Paolo Di Canio is a racist goon, who had a stint with West Ham. What is with these players who play for the EPL and come back to Italia? Maybe they can’t take the fish and chips or the English weather?
Dave Zirin has a nice article on the ugly side of soccer. Hat tip to Alamgir for drawing attention to this article.
5 comments on “Materazzi’s remarks focus on E Jogo Feio”
You are not the only one to state that Materazzi is a fascist and racist but this is defamation of character. There is no proof that he is either a fascist or racist. Simply because he plays for Lazio doesn’t mean he’s any of these things just because there are many Lazio fans who are. As it turns out, Materazzi said nothing racist to Zidane and reports to the contrary were simply fabrications.
Dash,
How do you know he did not say anything racist? Let FIFA conduct the enquiry. Something more serious than the usual mother- sister playground taunting happened. Yes, playing for Lazio does not make you racist but if Materazzi is found guilty then one has to look at how he deals with the fallout knowing that he’ll probably have a fan following in Lazio.
Exactly Shourin,
Let them conduct the enquiry first before gracing us with your well balanced two-footed, dive straight in and cover yourself with egg (on your face) tackle of an opinion on how Materazzi is a “racist goon”.
For many seekers of truth and justice, you could look to say the least, foolish by believing what the Daily Mail says!
Especially as these ‘expert’ lipreaders (inc. 2 contradictory ones on the BBC alone) have come up with different versions from places all over the world.
Let me correct your holy than thou scribblings. You sleazily critized this Italian defence for scoring goals. Yet in another article you said and I quote “Out of the 9 goals that Italy have scored, eight of them have come from different strikers. Luca Toni scored his first two goals in the quarterfinal. Italy has found a way to score goals without leaving it entirely to their frontline strikers.” By frontline I take it you mean first choice because you say 8 out of nine ‘strikers’?
Italy had 10 different goalscorers in this tournament showing their strengths throughout the team and this together with the fact every outfield player (yes all 21 of them) played a positive part was, I believe, the key to their both winning the trophy and their being the most complete team for the whole of the tournament.
Only in the Final did they have to rely on their defence (France deserve the credit for this as they were the better team on the day, but not throughout the tournament).
Furthermore, you talk about catenaccio. Half the players you mentioned from bygone teams never even played using this style.
The catenaccio uses a five man defence with a libero (sweeper). Baresi and Maldini, who were brilliant both offensively as well as defensively by the way, played in a back four for both Italy and the great AC Milan team of the late e80s/early 90s!!
I have played in both systems in the UK and Italy so I know what I’m talking about when it comes to defences. Have you? No, I didn’t think so.
For crying out loud, do not fall into the trap of blaming this team, whose players in all positions were comfortable right across the park with the ultra defensive teams in Italy’s past.
I really don’t want to insult you Shourin, but please be man enough to hold your hand up and say “on this one I got it wrong” and we’ll leave it at that.
Somehow, however, upon quickly scanning your open minded attitude in other blogs, I’m afraid it’s probably too much to ask.
I’m sure you won’t disappoint me and other rational beings by crying au contraire as is the want of many bloggers from your mould, who are more interested in enlightening us with their gratuitous insights rather than listening to the objective thoughts/experiences of others.
By the way, don’t bother replying to this post as (A) I won’t even bother reading due to (B) My knowing you will not post that which you should as alluded to earlier.
This is in perfect harmony with your having said enough to convince both me and many others, who probably don’t even bother to reply to you also I’m sure, of your inability to be judicious and a reasonable blogger.
D Marsh
Pretty strong language there. I am not sure which blogs I have posted on that gives you an idea of my “open minded attitude.”
Yes, I am not a fan of Italian soccer. Never have been. I have always found them to be a team that scores that one goal and hangs on for the rest of the match through its defence. The style of catenaccio that Italy played in the 60’s led to the ultra defensive play that you see today. I am not saying it is not effective. Italy has won two World Cups playing that way. It is when we see teams like Ghana and Ivory Coast that we are reminded of how the game of soccer can be played. Beautiful and spontaneous. Germany surprised many with their attacking flair. Not the sort of Germany of yore.
I was being complimentary when talking about the Italian defence scoring goals. The Italians have always been blessed by that special stiker who scores most of their goals. In this World Cup, it was different. I don’t know how sleazy cropped up. You completely missed the context.
Btw, my larger point is that players and fans get away with these sort of racial insults because of the soccer federations in their countries just do not care enough. Surely, you have no problem with that point.
All the lip readers may bring their subjectivity in but Materazzi was being absolutely disengenous when he said he did not know what an Islamic terrorist was. If it does come out that he did say words to that effect like then my injudicious and unreasonable blogging will pale in comparison.
I have to be one of the rare soccer fans to condemn Zidane, he acted like a spoiled hot-headed star athlete. Thats it. Materazzi did what athletes everywhere do…they trash talk. I bet it’s not the worst thing Zidane has heard and it’s not the first time he has lost his temper on the pitch. Quit blaming the victim and quit degrading a well deserved Italian victory. No one has seems to remeber the game. Italy played well…conceded a penalty and an own goal only….scored on the French in the final and then all five penalties. See things as they really are, as they happened. Quit slandering Materazzi and calling him racist now that they have both come out and said the comment was about Zidane’s family. Why would Zidane choose this time to defend his family honour and not the million other times he has been trash talked? Perhaps he was frustrated, not scoring not getting chances…perhaps he’s another spoiled athlete justifying his lack of anger management.