Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

What a way to go!

No one expected Zinedine Zidane's glittering career to end with a red card, in a match watched by millions the world over. It was unbecoming of a respected player to display such a temper in a crucial match. Sure, Marco Materazzi provoked him. But he should have exercised restraint, as his presence was needed on the field.

Barun Kumar Mahapatro,
Berhampur, Orissa

Something seemed to possess Zidane when he head-butted Materazzi. Though the incident is unpardonable, he deserves our sympathy. The Golden Ball award is a fitting consolation — not for him but his fans.

C.G. Senthilkumar,
Davis, California

Zidane will regret the greatest faux pas he committed on field — his country's hopes shattered by a rush of blood. Who would have ever thought that this cool customer would have let his adrenaline rise to such alarming levels? The Golden Ball award can hardly compensate for the unfortunate incident. For a team that was hardly in the reckoning during the pre-match predictions, to have reached the grand finale was an achievement in itself. But Zidane let the opportunity go down the drain by a reckless act. What a slip between the cup and the lip!

Sreejyothi Madhu,
Kochi, Kerala

Zidane could have instead been given the `Golden Fall' award. The ageing idol failed to set a good precedent for the gen-next players.

V. Vinoth,
Tindivanam, T.N.

A verbal duel started by Materazzi ended in Zidane head-butting him in momentary anger. The Italian defender's conduct was equally condemnable. An unfortunate victim of circumstances, Zidane alone got noticed during the incident while Materazzi was totally ignored. Notwithstanding the freak incident, promptly blown out of proportion by the media, football lovers the world over will cherish the ace footballer's game.

A. Saratchandran Menon,
Chennai

The World Cup motto `come and make friends' lost its meaning when the French captain head-butted Materazzi and became a pale reflection of the cool headed genius he is widely believed to be.

Manu Melwin Joy,
Thrissur, Kerala

No matter what the provocation was, a player of Zidane's calibre should not have reacted in the manner he did.

S. Bagawati Prasad,
Chennai

A red card was too mild a punishment. A six-figure fine or a vast cut in the match fee would have served as a deterrent to all violently inclined sportspersons.

I.S. Kanthimathinathan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

The red card shown to Zidane is by no means an adequate punishment. Knowing fully well that football by itself is a rough game, wherein fouls are committed or awarded for even unintentional actions, a player of Zidane's stature was not expected to take things this far. He should not have been considered for the award of the Golden Ball.

V. Hari Haran,
Chennai

The world was benumbed when Zidane was sent off the field. Though the incident may not rob him of his greatness as a player extraordinaire, there may be enough for Zidane to mull over during his moments of tranquillity.

S. Samiuddin Muzammil,
Kurnool, A.P.

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