Mais pourquois, Zidane?

The head butt…

zidane – the game

What may have caused the headbutt? Check out this blurb from the Zidane entry on the WikiPedia site:

World Cup Final

Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup Final (animated image, video, alternate video, front angle video)On July 9, 2006, Zidane became one of only four footballers to achieve the feat of scoring in two different World Cup final matches (he scored twice in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final), sharing the honour with Pelé, Paul Breitner, and Vavá. He scored in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. He nearly headed in the ball during the first period of extra time but it was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

He was sent off for violent conduct after headbutting Italy’s goalscorer, Marco Materazzi, in the chest in the 110th minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and Italy won the championship after a penalty kick shootout.

Since both players refused to comment on the incident, there are various allegations about what led to Zidane’s violent outburst. His agent, Alain Migliaccio has claimed that a “very serious” comment by Materazzi provoked the attack.[7] Reportedly, the deaf forensic lip-reader Jessica Rees was employed to analyze the video sequences with the help of an Italian translator. According to these reports, Materazzi spoke in Italian – a language understood by Zidane due to his time spent with Juventus F.C. – and first told him: “Hold on, wait, that one’s not for a nigger like you.” As the players walked forward, Materazzi allegedly said: “We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore.” Then, just before the headbutt, he was seen saying: “So just fuck off.” [8] [9] According to Brazilian TV Rede Globo, a lip-reader claimed that Materazzi called Zidane’s sister a prostitute two times.[10] Earlier claims about Materazzi calling his opponent player himself a “dirty terrorist” have already been denied by Materazzi, who reportedly said: “It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I’m ignorant. I don’t even know what the word means.” [11][12]

On July 10, 2006, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player in the 2006 World Cup. The winner was selected by a poll of journalists covering the tournament; Zidane polled 2012 points, ahead of Fabio Cannavaro, who polled 1977 points. Most votes were cast during half-time of the final match; voting closed that night at midnight.[13][14]