Comments on: How typically French http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/ occasionally acerbic, cultural and political comment Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:29:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1308 Richard W. Symonds Thu, 13 Jul 2006 08:23:14 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1308 I agree - the rules need to change. Verbal assault and provocation (eg taunts) need to be punished and eradicated from the game, as much as the response to them. I agree - the rules need to change. Verbal assault and provocation (eg taunts) need to be punished and eradicated from the game, as much as the response to them.

]]> By: Jose http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1303 Jose Thu, 13 Jul 2006 06:01:08 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1303 It seems Zidane has not wanted to speak more than necessary. He has only said that Materazzi mentioned his mother and his sister in an insulting way and that if that happened again he would react similarly. He does not repent. If I were FIFA - which thank God I am not - I would enact a rule that if any two or more footballers were involved in a brawl the kind of that we're speaking about, all of them would be sent off until a decision should be taken. That would avoid recurrences. Although there are always ways to go round it, for instance have a bad player insult the best one in the rival side. Soccer needs drastic rules. And referees have too much power in their hands. It seems Zidane has not wanted to speak more than necessary. He has only said that Materazzi mentioned his mother and his sister in an insulting way and that if that happened again he would react similarly. He does not repent.

If I were FIFA - which thank God I am not - I would enact a rule that if any two or more footballers were involved in a brawl the kind of that we’re speaking about, all of them would be sent off until a decision should be taken. That would avoid recurrences. Although there are always ways to go round it, for instance have a bad player insult the best one in the rival side.

Soccer needs drastic rules. And referees have too much power in their hands.

]]> By: Jose http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1262 Jose Wed, 12 Jul 2006 05:41:23 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1262 Yes, Symonds, I am with you in this. Even take the cup off Italy. Punishment must be level with the fault. Yes, Symonds, I am with you in this. Even take the cup off Italy. Punishment must be level with the fault.

]]> By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1240 Richard W. Symonds Tue, 11 Jul 2006 20:56:17 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1240 Did Materazzi say (in Italian) : "You're the son of a terrorist whore" ? 'Ken Hackett, Head of Referees in England, said that if it can be proved that Materazzi racially abused the Frenchman, then Fifa should take retrospective action for "the good of the game" ' (Internet BBC News/News Front Page). Couldn't agree more. Did Materazzi say (in Italian) : “You’re the son of a terrorist whore” ?

‘Ken Hackett, Head of Referees in England, said that if it can be proved that Materazzi racially abused the Frenchman, then Fifa should take retrospective action for “the good of the game” ‘ (Internet BBC News/News Front Page).

Couldn’t agree more.

]]> By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1220 Richard W. Symonds Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:20:38 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1220 "I am not a cultured person" (Marco Materazzi) “I am not a cultured person” (Marco Materazzi)

]]> By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1219 Richard W. Symonds Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:01:43 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1219 Tyger, I suppose it all depends what you mean by "good". This whole issue has really made me think about the power of words - or one word - and the use of language to change people (&/or the world) for good or ill. I suppose I'm talking about linguistics, and the philosophy of language - which could get me on to Chomsky, Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT...but it won't. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me" - except break your heart, provoke attack, create wars... Materazzi was defended by his agent Vigorelli and his words have brought dishonour to both - and to their country. President Jacques Chirac defended Zidane - and his words have honoured both - and their country : "In such a hard and intense moment for you, I would like to express the whole nation's affection and admiration for you. "You are a virtuoso, a genius of football, and an exceptional human being. That is why France admires you." And so do I. Tyger, I suppose it all depends what you mean by “good”.

This whole issue has really made me think about the power of words - or one word - and the use of language to change people (&/or the world) for good or ill. I suppose I’m talking about linguistics, and the philosophy of language - which could get me on to Chomsky, Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT…but it won’t.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me” - except break your heart, provoke attack, create wars…

Materazzi was defended by his agent Vigorelli and his words have brought dishonour to both - and to their country.

President Jacques Chirac defended Zidane - and his words have honoured both - and their country :

“In such a hard and intense moment for you, I would like to express the whole nation’s affection and admiration for you.

“You are a virtuoso, a genius of football, and an exceptional human being. That is why France admires you.”

And so do I.

]]> By: tyger http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1208 tyger Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:57:38 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1208 RWS, <blockquote>I don’t think he is capable of provoking a player; he is a good boy.</blockquote> Doesn't really match the person who punched another player in the tunnel, does it? RWS,

I don’t think he is capable of provoking a player; he is a good boy.

Doesn’t really match the person who punched another player in the tunnel, does it?

]]> By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1206 Richard W. Symonds Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:10:13 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1206 "I've known Marco for a long time, and I don't think he is capable of provoking a player; he is a good boy." (Claudio Vigorelli - Materazzi's agent) “I’ve known Marco for a long time, and I don’t think he is capable of provoking a player; he is a good boy.” (Claudio Vigorelli - Materazzi’s agent)

]]> By: Richard W. Symonds http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1198 Richard W. Symonds Tue, 11 Jul 2006 08:19:46 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1198 Well, almost every front page of every English newspaper (broadsheets & tabloids) is making a meal out of this one - and quite right too. It looks pretty clear what was said - relating to mothers, race, and sons of whores etc, and I was amused by Materazzi comment to the accusations : "Well, I didn't call them terrorists". Materazzi can't get away with this surely... Well, almost every front page of every English newspaper (broadsheets & tabloids) is making a meal out of this one - and quite right too.

It looks pretty clear what was said - relating to mothers, race, and sons of whores etc, and I was amused by Materazzi comment to the accusations : “Well, I didn’t call them terrorists”.

Materazzi can’t get away with this surely…

]]> By: Jose http://tygerland.net/2006/07/10/how-typically-french/#comment-1186 Jose Tue, 11 Jul 2006 06:02:00 +0000 http://tygerland.net/?p=749#comment-1186 Phew! 14 comments. Proves that soccer has as much attention as, if I remember correctly, Rupert Murdoch. I agree with you Symonds. As Michael says, let's wait for Zidane's comments. I bet they will be clarifying. Phew! 14 comments. Proves that soccer has as much attention as, if I remember correctly, Rupert Murdoch.

I agree with you Symonds.

As Michael says, let’s wait for Zidane’s comments. I bet they will be clarifying.

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