French agenda illuminate in FIFA decision

Sometimes I get the feeling that the world football organization FIFA is too caught up being politically correct in everything they do. The examples are endless – third class referees in first class matches is just one glaring example.

But I think their handling of the Zidane-Materazzi matter takes it to a new level. We all saw what happened at the finals on July 9. Zinadine Zidane butted onto Materazzi’s chest and was rightfully sent off for that offence.

At that time,and even now, Zidane’s behaviour was/is repulsive. You don’t except one of the best players of all time, playing his last international game, possibly on the verge of winning the World Cup, to just lose his temper and charge an opponent as he did. Anyway, this is Zidane, after all he had 14 red cards throughout his career and we should not hold this petulant behaviour against the master. That’s my feeling on this matter.

However to my surprise the matter did not end there. Zidane, despite winning the best player of the tournament award, wanted to take it further – perhaps with a hope that he can retire with his reputation unsoiled. So out went his PR department to work overtime. First came the excuses – that Materazzi had provoked and insulted Zidane’s mother and sister. Allegations of racism, religious hatred and stereotyping were bandied about.

Zidane went live on French TV that as a man he was duty bound to protect his honour, but he did not reveal what exactly Materrazi had said. He did not apologise for his rash reaction, but said he was sorry that millions of kids had to see him to it.

Poor Materazzi, A World Cup winner, scored a goal in the final, but people were talking about his provocation of Zidane. How things have changed. As a defender, he was doing what he is supposed to do. He did not assault Zidane but he was now being tried by the media. He tried defending himself by saying that he had not used any of the derogatory terms he is accused of using against Zidane.

What happened next? FIFA swings into action. It conducts a disciplinary hearing and finally does its part to put an end to this sad saga by banning Zidane for three games and Materazzi for two games. Both players were also fined.

Fine, it is their right to punish players who disrepute the game. But this punishment has some flaws in them:

One, Zidane is officially retired and will not miss anything from not playing the three games. As for Materazzi, Italy will lose his services in their opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers - against Lithuania on Sept. 2 and ironically against France on Sept. 6.

Does this mean that the FIFA decision has a favourable outcome for the French FA in the end? If the whole FIFA hearing was a result of the French media pressure, then, is FIFA complicit to the national French agenda?

It doesn’t matter if Zidane is allowed to substitute his ban with three days of community service with children as part of FIFA's humanitarian projects. If FIFA wants to play fair, then Materazzi too should have his ban suspended.

This, then brings us to the second point.

Is this a precedent now that all acts of provocation by players must be punished? If so, how will the process of punishment go? Will the referees in the field decide on the punishment, or will an after-match disciplinary panel decide upon it?

You see where this is heading right? By stepping into this matter, FIFA has just taken away the discretionary right inherent to the referees to decide on the spot. THAT was one aspect of the game which kept the game entertaining and beautiful. We do not want to see a regimented football match.

I do not condone provocations at all but it has become part of the game. It is the physiological advantage the players play for. Everyone does it, even Zidane.

For FIFA to suddenly start inquiring into this is worrying indeed. Did they do it just because Zidane was involved? If yes, FIFA should know no player is above the game. They have also punished Materazzi but it looks as though now the provoker faces a higher punishment than the actual offender.

If FIFA wants to be seen being fair, it should revoke Zidane’s Golden Ball award now, as after all it was his head which landed in Materazzi’s chest. This will also mean the award can be given to other deserving player who did not lose any temper and played football as it should be played. My vote goes for Fabio Cannavaro of Italy.