Could Italy really be stripped of the World Cup?

Blitzkrieg · 07-12-2006, 04:54 AM

I would find it hard to believe that they would be.. but here's the article anyway..

Quote:

Could Italy lose the World Cup?
July 11, 2006
MSNBC News Services

The door is open for FIFA to strip Italy of their 2006 World Cup title if Italian defender Marco Materazzi is found to have defamed French captain Zinedine Zidane.

In March this year the world soccer body FIFA quietly introduced new anti-racism regulations.

Article 55 of the new FIFA disciplinary regulations concludes that if a player "denigrates someone in a defamatory manner on account of race, colour, language, religion or ethnic origin" leading to the possible penalties "if any player, association or club official or spectator perpetrates any kind of discriminatory or contemptuous act as described by par. 1 and/or 2 of this article, three points will automatically be deducted from the team concerned, if identifiable, after the first offence. In the case of a second offence, six points will automatically be deducted, and for a further offence, the team will be relegated. In the case of matches without points, the team concerned, if identifiable, will be disqualified."

In the case of Sunday's World Cup Final, if FIFA find Materazzi did "denigrate Zidane in a defamatory manner" and enact Article 55, the only form of punishment available to them would be to disqualify Italy and strip them of their title.

Zidane is expected to reveal what Materazzi said to him in a French TV interview later this week and explain why he had such a reaction.

Crocker · 07-12-2006, 04:55 AM

That story is BS, Italy wont be stripped of the World Cup

Blitzkrieg · 07-12-2006, 04:57 AM

Crocker · 07-12-2006, 04:58 AM

Sorry theat D shouldnt have been there, now edited

Blitzkrieg · 07-12-2006, 05:02 AM

Oh, that's what I figuered lol.. Yeah, I think they are just trying to start some shit to sell papers or get traffic or something..

I mean, what they say is kinda true, but there is going to be no way to prove anything really..

Crocker · 07-12-2006, 05:03 AM

Things like that happen all the time, you cant replay every game

The Phantom · 07-12-2006, 07:15 AM

The game was deep into extra time when Zidane head butted Materazzi so I doubt it effected the result that much. And besides it's only his word vs Matterazzi's so nothing's going to be gained from it.

K Jay · 07-12-2006, 05:16 PM

Complete and utter BS. The author needs sacking.

Snowman · 07-12-2006, 08:53 PM

Why are they trying to find excuses for what Zidane did??? In my opinion, Zizou is just a retard for reacting to whatever Materrazzi said. No one ever made excuses for why De Rossi elbowed That American player...

Anyway this is an article I found on goal.com:

Materazzi Insult Revealed By Lip-Reader

An Italian lip-reader has claimed to have deciphered the words Marco Materazzi said to Zinédine Zidane that provoked the French star into headbutting the Italian defender in Sunday’s World Cup final.
There have been various rumours circulating about what was said, with Materazzi denying calling Zidane ‘a dirty terrorist’.

According to the BBC, Materazzi said, "I wish an ugly death to you and all your family," and then told Zidane to "go f*** yourself".

The red card meant a sad end to the career of Zidane who retired from football after the game.

Dr. Giganto · 07-12-2006, 09:25 PM

There are very few things I can think of (but there are a few) that would justify something like that, in that big a moment.

Zidane simply did something very very stupid while the entire civilized world was watching

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Could Italy really be stripped of the World Cup?

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