World Cup and Zidane Links

Another nice one by Abbas at 3 Quarks Daily.

Steve Gilliard on race and the headbutt.

Notice how [Zidane] hasn't apologized, hasn't been asked to apologize and then won the Golden Boot. That wouldn't have happened unless there was a feeling that he was the wronged party. In the US, there's been shock, but in France, it's widely accepted he was a victim of race baiting.

He also hasn't explained what happened yet, which shows an amazing amount of class. He didn't taint the Italian victory as they won. But it's clear that what was said will come out and Italy will not look good.

More recent developments on The Insult.

A perspicacious and recommended piece at The Independent on the love for Zidane.

..."Those who say you have to control your temper at that level are right," he said. "But you have to remember that this is someone who has struggled to succeed all his life. He remains a child of the [poor] suburbs, which is why the suburbs identify with him... Life is a fight for him and, yes, there are moments when you blow a fuse."

Except that Zidane did not blow a fuse. Not exactly. There were a couple of seconds when he, plainly, intended to walk away. There were another couple of seconds when he stared at Materazzi. Then he ran towards him.

It was almost as if Zizou made a conscious decision, before one billion people, to retire, not just from football, but from the Zidane legend.