I wonder what the French are saying about Zidane

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by El Guapo

In watching replays, I swear the Italian guy gave Zidane a titty twister immediately prior to the headbut!

Yes, that's the story. In today's "Metro" (a little rag handed out each day at the Metro), they note that the Italians were intent on harassing Zidane during the match, verbally and physically. When Zidane told them to quit pulling on his jersey, Materazzi responded with, "Shut up, fu**er! You deserve what you get." Materazzi then went on, "You deserve everything, you fu**ing Muslims, dirty terrorists!" That's when Zidane head-butted Materazzi.

However, according to BBC, which hired an Italian lip-reader, Materazzi said "I wish an ugly death on you and your family," and then told Zindane to go fu** himself. He also allegedly made some veiled sexual reference to Zidane's wife.

Not much fallout so far. All of Zidane's major sponsors here (including Adidas and Danone) are standing by him and he was received and praised by Chirac yesterday. As the focus starts to center on what Materazzi said, sympathy for Zidane will only grow here in France, particularly if the remarks were racist or bigoted in nature.