Zidane, so in the wrong it's scary.

Rumours abound about what Materazzi said to him to make him flip out so badly.

For one check El Guapo. Is this true? Did he use religious taunts? If so Materazzi was in the wrong. If this is true he is a bigtime asshat.

Does this excuse Zidane?

NO!!!!!!

In most sports people will say whatever they can to psyche you out, make you lose concentration, to win. If you let them then you deserve to lose. At the level of playing for your country you have to be above such crap. The guy was being a dick, what Zidane should have done is score a lot of goals and watch them weep as they lost. Instead he got himself sent off, exactly as Materazzi was hoping.

Nice job!

Even if we forget everything else what people say is unimportant. Say what you like about me. I don't give a shit. I certainly don't believe it gives me the right to punch you in the face (or headbutt you in the chest!).

You let the team down, you let yourself down........