The Hindu : Sport / Football : Most of France accepts Zizou's apology

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Friday, Jul 14, 2006

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Most of France accepts Zizou's apology

PARIS : Most of France accepted Zinedine `Zizou' Zidane's apology for the attack that marked the end of his career — even if he didn't explain what prompted it.

But not everyone in Europe was so impressed. Italy said Zidane would have done better to stay silent and Spain complained he was more defiant than repentant.

"We still don't understand it but it's not because of this act that we are going to love him less," France fan Nelson Laforet said on Thursday, a day after he watched Zidane interviewed on French television. "We are not going to forget all the past."

Thursday's editions of many French papers described Zidane's words as a belated farewell to fans after a career that included titles at the 1998 World Cup triumph and 2000 European Championship.

"Above all, I'm human," Zidane said on Wednesday, the sort of comment that led some to insist he wasn't repentant enough for a brutal act viewed by billions that may have lost France the World Cup.

Consequences

His apology "achieved the pardon that many had already accorded him," sports daily L'Equipe wrote on Thursday, although it criticised him for not acknowledging the consequences of his act on the final and on his team-mates.

"This final became nothing but a regret, before nearly disappearing from debate, an injustice considering the beauty of the collective history of Les Bleus," it said.

Jean-Marie Petitclerc, a priest working with children in disadvantaged neighbourhoods like the one where Zidane grew up in Marseille, praised the referee who "punished the idol who lost his way."

"How could he ruin his exit and offer such a bad example to all the kids who themselves have such problems controlling their anger?" he asked in Thursday's Le Figaro.

While newspapers in several countries shifted some of the blame to Materazzi — saying he was the one who should now apologise — Italy criticised Zidane's remarks.

"It would have been better if he had kept his mouth shut," Rome daily La Repubblica wrote. "Zidane might be a champion, but there's nothing dumber than using one's mother, sister or wife to justify one's brutishness. So Zidane last night became the caricature of the crime of honour."

Rescind award

In Spain, national daily La Vanguardia urged FIFA to rescind Zidane's Golden Ball award as the Cup's best player.

"It took Zizou three days to apologise and he did it defiantly and without showing any sign of repentance. FIFA can go on preaching against violence and in favour of fair play, but if it does not strip him of the award, then it should not complain afterward if fans behave similarly in the stands."

Sweden was more forgiving. Newspaper columnist Staffan Heimersson said Zidane "was like a captain on the front lines. With a shaved head, determined and articulate ... A warrior."

Alonso's support

Zidane can still count on the unwavering support of Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso.

"There is disappointment on one side because he's my favourite player and these things you cannot do on the field," said the Renault driver and Real Madrid fan at the French Grand Prix in Magny-Cours.

"But I still support him. When you do something like that it is because something happened before. It's the normal reaction for a professional," added the Spaniard.

Italian driver Jarno Trulli, however, said he could not condone what Zidane had done. "I can understand his reaction but unfortunately I cannot forgive him," Trulli said. — Agencies

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