Voices: Zidane attack
Jul. 13, 2006. 11:00 PM

After Zinedine Zidane spoke about his head-butt to Italy's Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final, do you think his attack was justified?
Watching the replays and all the speculation of what was said leaves me wondering. Until we actually know what was said there is no justification. If there is, we only have to read the newspapers each morning to see who else feels they were justified to cause harm to others as a result of an insult no less. Think about it.
Tom Howard, Sudbury

Why stop at head butts? FIFA should let the players carry knives. Then if an opponent says something you don't like, stab him in the chest. Let's all get a grip!
Edward Fregonese, Milton

Zidane and Rooney should both be given awards for their performances. I was so sick and tired of watching the flops, dives and other forms of acting all tournament long. Watching Zizou slam Materazzi to the turf and then seeing him roll around like a baby was more satisfying than anything else I saw in the tourney, except of course for Rooney's planting a boot into the nether regions of that Portuguese guy.
Peter Newbould, Toronto

Justified or not, FIFA seems to make contradictory decisions and they should be partly to blame. In the round of 16 match between Portugal and the Netherlands, Luis Figo headbutted Mark Van Bommel. FIFA decided no further disciplinary action was required after it was sanctioned on the field. So where's the consistency?
Mike Yao, North York

We need to remember here that we all humans and at certain level of provocation causes us to lose control and force us to do things that must be done. Zidane should be remembered for his great sporting career not for this mere incident.
Riaz Ali, Toronto

If Zidane is stripped off of the Golden Ball then Materazzi should also be stripped off the World Cup gold medal and his name should be erased from the World Cup record for such insults and for his racist remarks (if any were made).
Ivan Navas, North York

There is no excuse for Zidane's behaviour. I don't support it. But at the end, after I read his interview, I would say, "my hats off to you Zidane. You are still the hero of the football fans around the world." The sore looser is the Italian defender.
Mainul Hasan, Portland

Regardless of what was said, physically assulting someone is no excuse. What ever happened to sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
Lui Pisano, Toronto

I have watched Zidane for years and I am quite comfortable believing he was unjustly provoked. Justified, perhaps, but still it was a mistake. I will not criticize him on any level for this as I feel something more akin to pity for all the negative attention this has drawn to him, and how little to the offending Italian player.
Keith Matlock, Tulsa, OK

I highly doubt that this is the first time an insult was thrown out on the football field. Although it might not be commendable behavior, I think it is common practice for insults to be exchanged among players quite frequently throughout the course of a game. However, players need to be able to rise above this and refrain from commiting violent acts in retaliation. I do not think any attack in a physical manner was justified at all. Further, I think that Zidane's statement falls well short of an apology - how can one apologize for their behavior and in the same statement say they are not sorry or do not regret their behaviour?
Nicole Castillo, Chicago

Certain things cannot be ignored and honour must be defended. I believe he was therefore justified and honourable for reacting the way he did.
Chris More, Georgetown

Why is "violent conduct" only percieved as a physical action. Why are not the words of Marco Materazzi considered as Violent Conduct. Racism is usually in the form of verbal abuse and today considered totally unacceptable and punishable.
C. Pfeffer, Shelby

I think that Zidane’s statement falls well short of an apology — how can one apologize for their behaviour and in the same statement say they do not regret their behaviour?
Nicole Castillo, Chicago