Zizou, The Legend Continues.

I was going to write a report on the World Cup final. But, really, what's the point? After figuring out that the easiest way to defend corners is to not concede corners, France dominated Italy for 90 minutes to an extent that almost makes it unbelievable that they are not celebrating their second triumph. Ultimately, the Italians held on for the penalties for which they have obviously been practicing and France (poor Trezuguet) were denied by a ball flighted an inch too high, that landed a foot too far forward. Whatever some may say, this match is not likely to be thought a classic ten years from now, at least not for the game itself. But no matter. No one save the Italians will really remember this match for the result in any case. We will all remember Zidane's exit.

It was an exit worth remembering. Zidane was sent off with ten minutes remaining for leveling Italy's Materazzi with a headbutt. He has been almost universally vilified in the press for this action. But I wouldn't be so quick to judge. Zizou is a man not only blessed with remarkable skill and vision but also burdened with a fierce temper. But he has every right to his anger after a life of enduring racial prejudice. I cannot be the only one wondering what it was that Materazzi said to Zizdane. And I cannot be the only one who suspects that it was a racial slur. If that is the case, then I fully excuse Zidane for his action. No, violence cannot be the answer, even to the reprehensible taint of racism, but it can and sometimes must be the trigger to action. If Zidane chose the final moment of his career on the biggest stage in sport to show everyone the rage that we should all feel over this issue, then his end is worthwhile. He clearly chose this action, and I think we owe it to him to ask why.

As a technical aside, it is interesting to note that while Zidane's headbutt clearly waranted a red card, he should probably not have received it. The referee clearly missed the incident and it seems obvious that so did the other three officials. The report is that the fourth official saw the attack on a video replay and notified the referee. Since when did FIFA sanction instant replay? FIFA has been adamant in its opposition to replay or any other technical assistance for referees. If FIFA really believes in its position it should sanction the officiating crew for making a video-assisted post-facto ruling. FIFA needs to be consistent to maintain the few shreds of respectability that it has left. That said, I actually support the introduction of video replay in the form of a video official who would have constant access to live and playback video and who would communicate the information to the referee. There also needs to be game-by-game comprehensive review of all officials. This would increase accountability and aid in officials' education. It's also time for that computer chipped ball that senses the goalline.