An Egyptian sample conducted by Abeer Anwar sounds out on the Zidane-Materazzi punishments Many Egyptians were supporting France in the World Cup, mainly because of the team's legendary captain Zinedine Zidane. Either because of Zidane's Arab ancestry, or because he is unquestionably the best player of his generation or because the final of the World Cup against Italy was to be his final game, Zidane's supporters in Egypt are many. But did France's failure to clear the final hurdle and Zidane being kicked out of the game for the extraordinary head butting incident with Italian defender Marco Materazzi change perceptions? One mother told her child who asked why Zidane did what he did, "They're joking, dear." "No one believed that it was real. It was like a dream," Nagwa Youssef said. Meeting under the chairmanship of Marcel Mathier last week on Thursday, the five-man FIFA disciplinary committee imposed a three- match ban and a fine of 7,500 Swiss francs on Zidane on account of his head-butt to Materazzi's chest. As Zidane has now retired from international football, the committee took note of Zidane's pledge to do three days of community service work with children and youngsters as part of FIFA's humanitarian activities. Materazzi was suspended for two official matches of the Italian national team and fined 5,000 Swiss francs for repeatedly provoking Zidane. FIFA gave both players the right to be heard in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code. In their statements, both players stressed that Materazzi's comments had been defamatory but not of a racist nature. During the course of their hearings, both players also apologised to FIFA for their inappropriate behaviour and expressed their regret at the incident. Referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina sent Zidane off in the 110th minute of the World Cup final after his clash with Materazzi. The incident had been directly observed from his position at the pitchside without the use of a monitor by the fourth official, Luis Medina Cantalejo, who informed the referee and his assistants through the communications system. According to the regulations, the fourth official must inform the referee if any acts of violent conduct are committed out of sight of the referee and his assistants. Both match officials were also invited to attend the meeting. To monitor reaction of Egyptians to the bans, Al-Ahram Weekly talked to a number of observers. "I completely agree with the punishment that Zizo and Materazzi received," Essam Abdel-Moneim, an ex-goalkeeper for Ahli and sports critic, said. "They both made a mistake and this was fair punishment." "I sympathise with Zidane," Zamalek football star Hazem Imam said. "What he did was wrong but we are sometimes under enormous pressure on the pitch and we can be easily be triggered. You feel you are not yourself." Veteran Misri star forward Hossam Hassan, notorious for his run-ins with referees and players, thought Zidane's punishment was right. "It is very fair that he was fined and banned. Zidane did something very wrong. He should have controlled himself." One female fan, Rasha Ali said, "What Zidane did was wrong but Materazzi was supposed to be expelled as well because he did something wrong, too. I think the fine and the ban against Zidane was too much. Decision- makers should have kept in mind that this was Zidane's last match and he should leave in peace." Dalia Mahmoud thanked God that Zidane was not stripped of the World Cup's best player award. "I was afraid they would take it away. It is the least he should get before retiring."
