The long story short is that I criticized Zidane when he visited Montreal for a charity soccer game and spent an afternoon talking to kids in Montreal North.
The crux of my argument is that Zidane still to this day has not apologized publicly without justifying his actions for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the last World Cup, essentially ruining France’s chances of winning the Cup and setting a terrible example for those who look up to him.
Interestingly, just this week we’ve been presented with a soccer quandary of our own.
The Montreal Impact has become one of our city’s most cherished sports franchise’s over the last decade or so, and with the construction of Saputo Stadium just last year, the team has gained even more esteem in our city.
Couple that with their inspirational CONCACAF Champions League run last winter and their title as 2008 Canadian Champions and it’s a great story overall.
The 2009 season hasn’t been quite as kind to the Impact, however, and last week things came to a head when midfielder Sandro Grande grabbed Impact legend Mauro Biello by the throat – an incident which was caught on camera.
Grande has since been suspended by the team and as of today is still waiting to find out his fate.
Unlike Zidane, however, who embarrassed himself not only by headbutting Materazzi in the chest in front of millions upon millions of people on the second biggest athletics stage in the world, Grande took the time to apologize for his actions.
And he did it like a man, not a whiny child.
Whereas Zidane was all about “but he egged me on and I retaliated” to justify his actions, Grande said basically “look, we’re buddies. He said something that pissed me off and I over-reacted. It happens. We talked after the game and we’re all good, but I do deserve the suspension.”
Grande, of course, is no Zinedine Zidane.
What most of the people who told me to “jump off a cliff” or called me a “stupid Canadian” for criticizing Zidane completely failed to understand was that my column wasn’t about saying Zidane is a bad soccer player or not a good guy.
I was simply saying that one major act tarnished his reputation in the eyes of many because he apologized, yes, but he apologized like a child does – blaming it on the antagonizer instead of being a man and just saying sorry.
Grande, on the other hand, said yeah, Biello apparently egged him on – but no words can justify the actions of strangling a teammate.
I’m not calling Grande a hero here, either. He did nothing special –all he did was man up to a mistake, like Zidane is still yet to do.
Some other notes
With four local athletes participating, the West End has a special connection to this year’s Maccabiah Games in Israel.
A note from NDG Baseball’s Ken Quinn on the subject:
Bradley Lis-D'Alessandro is currently a member of the NDG Minor Baseball family, playing competitively on the NDG Senior Lynx team.
Brad has been a member of numerous Little League Quebec Provincial Champion teams during his time in NDG Minor Baseball. His most recent championship team was in 2008 with the NDG Junior Lynx who won the Little League Quebec Junior Provincial Tournament in Rouyn Noranda before travelling to British Columbia to compete in the Little League Canada National Junior Championship.
Zachary Aaron, a Hampstead resident, is currently a middle infielder/pitcher for the Montreal Royals team from the Baseball Quebec federation. Zach enjoyed some success as a member of the NDG Minor Baseball family. He was a member of the 2006 Major Lynx team that won Little League Quebec's Provincial Little League Championship in Valleyfield against the team from Valleyfield. The team subsequently travelled to British Columbia to compete in the Little League Canada Canadian Little League Championships.
Robert Schneidman was a long time member of the NDG Minor Baseball family. Most recently Robbie was a member of the 2008 Senior Lynx team that won the Senior Provincial Championship in Cote St. Luc before travelling to Oakville to compete in the Senior Nationals.
NDG Minor Baseball is equally pleased to see former member Benjamin Hiscott compete with the 2009 Maccabi Canada Jr. Boys (93-94) Basketball team as the lone team member from Quebec.
You can always reach me at noahsidel@gmail.com
Grande was wrong, but unlike Zidane, eventually got it right
Grande was wrong, but unlike Zidane, eventually got it right
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- Published on July 17th, 2009
- Published on Febuary 6th, 2010
- Noah Sidel
NDG sends four to Maccabiah Games
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article chastising Zinedine Zidane and honestly, got some of the most interesting and some of the most ridiculous comments from readers I’ve ever seen.
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Comments
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- Elise Jacobs
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:12
Don't take it wrongly but you're a jew and he's muslim. Whether he apologizes or not you will always find fault in him. He is one of the all-time greatest like it or not. I, like many people who saw the Italy-France World Cup final, believe the referees were a little too permissive when faults involved Italian players. Just before Zidane's headbutt, Materazzi blatantly committed a fault by holding him and adding to it insults but referees decided to turn their heads away. Now Zidane should have kept his cool and play on but that match was characterized by uncalled faults which led to an understandable frustration. France was better on the field but with most decisions on their favor they had the best of France. This is what I hate about soccer. It is a sport known for controversial decisions and corruption especially when it involves Italians.
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- Elise
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:10
I'm sorry but I really think it weights on your opinion of him because like many people told you on your last editorial he did issue limited apologizes...limited by Materazzi immaturity. For Christ's sake, Materazzi is the Avery of football and Zidane got caught just like Brodeur. So the second time you put down this man, an undeniable legend, made me wonder what is wrong with this journalist? Insulting a legend for headbutting some joker and excusing someone who choked his own teammate? So those were my conclusions...maybe crude but you know what they say about explanations!
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- Yacheck Miskiewicz
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:10
I think you need to let it go mate; you're entirely wrong about the situation and clearly have not done the necessary research ie. 2nd biggest stage. You're comparing apples and oranges. I imagine your scope is watching a youtube video of the incident. You have no idea... You lack the judgement to be reporting about a topic way beyond your knowledge and experiences.
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- Kais Abawi
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:09
I think the religion comment is taking it a bit to far.
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- Kais Abawi
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:09
PUBLISH THIS IN YOUR NEXT TERRBIBLE ARTICLE - Your quote "but he apologized like a child does – blaming it on the antagonizer instead of being a man and just saying sorry" My response: You should really get your information right before you write anything. Here is the comments Zizou made when he went on TV to apologize in front of million. What Zidane Said Speaking in a live interview on Canal Plus (French television channel), Zidane said: ‘The reaction is always punished but if there is no provocation there is no reaction. The guilty person is the one who provokes.” ‘If I reacted that way, it is because something bad happened. Do you really believe that 10 minutes before the end of my career I would be able to make such a bad gesture? The provocation was very serious.” “There was no tension with Materazzi before or during the match.” “He just put his hand on to my shirt and I told him to stop. I told him that if he wanted it I could give it to him at the end of the match.” “Then he said very harsh words to me and repeated them several times. I left but then I went back towards him and things went very fast.” “The words he said concerned my mother and sister.” “I heard them once, then twice, and the third time I couldn’t control myself. I am a man and some words are harder to hear than actions.” “I would have rather been knocked down than hear that.” “Afterwards I explained to the referee that I had been provoked, but my behaviour is not forgivable.” “I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it.” “I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said.” “This is a decision I have made and I will not go back on it. This is definite. I will not play again.” READ THE WHOLE THING AND THEN SEE WHERE HE APOLOGIZED TO EVERYONE AND SAID HE WAS WRONG. HE SIMPLY ASKED THAT THE PERSON WHO PROVOKED HIM SHOULD BE PUNISHED AS WELL. I was wrong to call you names and tell you to jump off a cliff. I apologize. I am going to make another comment and ask you to quit your day job or at least get your "quotes" right!
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- Elise
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:08
Great but between a player that chokes his own teammate and offers apologizes that weren't enough since he has been dismissed by the organization and a player who refuses to give unlimited apologizes and stayed honest of his intention I think I'd rather take the honest one who have put so much hearth into the game. Grande called the incident minor and said he was good chum with Biello...what a load of crap and you my friend ate it spoonfuly. You also said you played recreational hockey and you never of never came to a scrum even after insults...are you trying to feed us some crap because that's what it looks like. I know fights are forbidden in beer leagues and might result to permanent ban but referees just let them go. And the in between drinking is also tolerate as much as alcohol and glass bottles even if arenas' regulation forbid them. From your comment you seem to be someone that jumps quickly to conclusions. Calling me a bigot is just a way to prove it since you insinuate that me calling you Jewish was in a derogated manner but all I said is that it influenced your opinion of the man.
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- luc grandmaison
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:08
Both this column and the previous one were spot on. Im not surprised that 'fans' cannot fathom that an athlete they adulate is ever wrong, thats teh fanatic part of fan. I dont buy into the theory that athletes should be role models but Zidane's action (it wasnt his first head butt by the way but his fans would rather not mention that) serves very well to teach children how NOT to act and we use it often to illustrate self control with kids. So his actions are very useful in that sense. I find it a shame thuogh that his visit in Mtl.North saw full of kids laugh and tell reporters how cool the head butt was because those that idolize him see nothing wrong in his actions. For these kids, violence is a great solution to conflict and self-control and discipline are uncool. That's exactly the role model you DONT want the Mtl-North kids to have. Grande for all his faults at least admitted his guilt. He was a man. Zidane will spend the rest of his life blaming someone else for his chronic lack of self control. Of course, we also live in a country were we think that fighting and intimidation SHOULD be a part of hockey because it shows courage so were as a society are no better than Zidane. We live by a barbaric code where revenge is promoted. I have no problem with fighting sports: boxing, MMA, kickboxing but these involve respect of each other. Hockey on the other hand promote viciousness and cowardice. Yes, cowardice. Because in no other sport is hitting someone who is not looking considerd not only legal but justified (he should have kept his head up). As children we are taught that the ultimate act of cowardice is to hit/punch someone who is not looking. In hockey, it is glorified. If were worried what message Zidane sends kids, fine but our own homemade heroes also display the same lack of sportsmanship and lack of self control except we glorify them. Protecting one's hero, whether it be Zidane or someone who hits an opponent from behind is ingrained in us all. Problem is we only see this in others, never in us. Now, I just wish that 'one of the city’s most cherished sports franchise’s' gets a little more publicity from the local media that doesnt involve such incidents. The coverage it receives when hockey ISNT on is still pathetic. So much so that the JR hockey owner can make comments about there not being any other professional sports in town and you realize he's probably unaware. Luc PS : as for the prepared apology he read, it matters little when Zidane appeared elsewhere and always plays the "I was goaded into it" game constantly.
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- Kais
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:05
Noah -I honestley believe that your religion has nothing to do with what you write. I simply believe your article is wrong in saying that Zidane did not apologize. Zidane said "I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it.” “I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said.” Luc - I think the best sport for you is competitive dancing where everyone wins first place.
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- Alisdar
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:05
Noah, you write some of the most ridiculous tripe I've seen. Please do everyone a favour, apologize, and quit. Make sure you do apologize though.
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- Elise Jacobs
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:39
Don't take it wrongly but you're a jew and he's muslim. Whether he apologizes or not you will always find fault in him. He is one of the all-time greatest like it or not. I, like many people who saw the Italy-France World Cup final, believe the referees were a little too permissive when faults involved Italian players. Just before Zidane's headbutt, Materazzi blatantly committed a fault by holding him and adding to it insults but referees decided to turn their heads away. Now Zidane should have kept his cool and play on but that match was characterized by uncalled faults which led to an understandable frustration. France was better on the field but with most decisions on their favor they had the best of France. This is what I hate about soccer. It is a sport known for controversial decisions and corruption especially when it involves Italians.
-
- Elise
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:38
I'm sorry but I really think it weights on your opinion of him because like many people told you on your last editorial he did issue limited apologizes...limited by Materazzi immaturity. For Christ's sake, Materazzi is the Avery of football and Zidane got caught just like Brodeur. So the second time you put down this man, an undeniable legend, made me wonder what is wrong with this journalist? Insulting a legend for headbutting some joker and excusing someone who choked his own teammate? So those were my conclusions...maybe crude but you know what they say about explanations!
-
- Yacheck Miskiewicz
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:38
I think you need to let it go mate; you're entirely wrong about the situation and clearly have not done the necessary research ie. 2nd biggest stage. You're comparing apples and oranges. I imagine your scope is watching a youtube video of the incident. You have no idea... You lack the judgement to be reporting about a topic way beyond your knowledge and experiences.
-
- Elise
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:37
Great but between a player that chokes his own teammate and offers apologizes that weren't enough since he has been dismissed by the organization and a player who refuses to give unlimited apologizes and stayed honest of his intention I think I'd rather take the honest one who have put so much hearth into the game. Grande called the incident minor and said he was good chum with Biello...what a load of crap and you my friend ate it spoonfuly. You also said you played recreational hockey and you never of never came to a scrum even after insults...are you trying to feed us some crap because that's what it looks like. I know fights are forbidden in beer leagues and might result to permanent ban but referees just let them go. And the in between drinking is also tolerate as much as alcohol and glass bottles even if arenas' regulation forbid them. From your comment you seem to be someone that jumps quickly to conclusions. Calling me a bigot is just a way to prove it since you insinuate that me calling you Jewish was in a derogated manner but all I said is that it influenced your opinion of the man.
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- luc grandmaison
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:37
Both this column and the previous one were spot on. Im not surprised that 'fans' cannot fathom that an athlete they adulate is ever wrong, thats teh fanatic part of fan. I dont buy into the theory that athletes should be role models but Zidane's action (it wasnt his first head butt by the way but his fans would rather not mention that) serves very well to teach children how NOT to act and we use it often to illustrate self control with kids. So his actions are very useful in that sense. I find it a shame thuogh that his visit in Mtl.North saw full of kids laugh and tell reporters how cool the head butt was because those that idolize him see nothing wrong in his actions. For these kids, violence is a great solution to conflict and self-control and discipline are uncool. That's exactly the role model you DONT want the Mtl-North kids to have. Grande for all his faults at least admitted his guilt. He was a man. Zidane will spend the rest of his life blaming someone else for his chronic lack of self control. Of course, we also live in a country were we think that fighting and intimidation SHOULD be a part of hockey because it shows courage so were as a society are no better than Zidane. We live by a barbaric code where revenge is promoted. I have no problem with fighting sports: boxing, MMA, kickboxing but these involve respect of each other. Hockey on the other hand promote viciousness and cowardice. Yes, cowardice. Because in no other sport is hitting someone who is not looking considerd not only legal but justified (he should have kept his head up). As children we are taught that the ultimate act of cowardice is to hit/punch someone who is not looking. In hockey, it is glorified. If were worried what message Zidane sends kids, fine but our own homemade heroes also display the same lack of sportsmanship and lack of self control except we glorify them. Protecting one's hero, whether it be Zidane or someone who hits an opponent from behind is ingrained in us all. Problem is we only see this in others, never in us. Now, I just wish that 'one of the city’s most cherished sports franchise’s' gets a little more publicity from the local media that doesnt involve such incidents. The coverage it receives when hockey ISNT on is still pathetic. So much so that the JR hockey owner can make comments about there not being any other professional sports in town and you realize he's probably unaware. Luc PS : as for the prepared apology he read, it matters little when Zidane appeared elsewhere and always plays the "I was goaded into it" game constantly.
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- Kais Abawi
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:37
I think the religion comment is taking it a bit to far.
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- Kais Abawi
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:37
PUBLISH THIS IN YOUR NEXT TERRBIBLE ARTICLE - Your quote "but he apologized like a child does – blaming it on the antagonizer instead of being a man and just saying sorry" My response: You should really get your information right before you write anything. Here is the comments Zizou made when he went on TV to apologize in front of million. What Zidane Said Speaking in a live interview on Canal Plus (French television channel), Zidane said: ‘The reaction is always punished but if there is no provocation there is no reaction. The guilty person is the one who provokes.” ‘If I reacted that way, it is because something bad happened. Do you really believe that 10 minutes before the end of my career I would be able to make such a bad gesture? The provocation was very serious.” “There was no tension with Materazzi before or during the match.” “He just put his hand on to my shirt and I told him to stop. I told him that if he wanted it I could give it to him at the end of the match.” “Then he said very harsh words to me and repeated them several times. I left but then I went back towards him and things went very fast.” “The words he said concerned my mother and sister.” “I heard them once, then twice, and the third time I couldn’t control myself. I am a man and some words are harder to hear than actions.” “I would have rather been knocked down than hear that.” “Afterwards I explained to the referee that I had been provoked, but my behaviour is not forgivable.” “I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it.” “I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said.” “This is a decision I have made and I will not go back on it. This is definite. I will not play again.” READ THE WHOLE THING AND THEN SEE WHERE HE APOLOGIZED TO EVERYONE AND SAID HE WAS WRONG. HE SIMPLY ASKED THAT THE PERSON WHO PROVOKED HIM SHOULD BE PUNISHED AS WELL. I was wrong to call you names and tell you to jump off a cliff. I apologize. I am going to make another comment and ask you to quit your day job or at least get your "quotes" right!
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- Kais
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:35
Noah -I honestley believe that your religion has nothing to do with what you write. I simply believe your article is wrong in saying that Zidane did not apologize. Zidane said "I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it.” “I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don’t regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said.” Luc - I think the best sport for you is competitive dancing where everyone wins first place.
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- Alisdar
- - February 10th, 2010 at 12:55:35
Noah, you write some of the most ridiculous tripe I've seen. Please do everyone a favour, apologize, and quit. Make sure you do apologize though.
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- Noah Sidel
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:30
Thanks for your comments, Luc - I think you are one of the few people who commented who got the point of either of my columns on this subject. As for you, Elise, I think your comments are biggoted and unacceptable. My religion has nothing to do with this, and your justification for saying such a despicable thing uses the same kind of logic that Zidane used to justify his actions - if you're goaded into doing something then it's ok. I would be just as upset about Zidane's actions if he were a Jew or any other race or religion. Your comments do serve an imporant purpose however - you are reminding us that no matter how far we have come, we must always remember that biggots such as yourself still prowl the dark corners of society and we need to stay vigilant. Thanks, Noah
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- Noah Sidel
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:24
Hi everyone, I want to make one thing abundantly clear - my religion has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my comments and I find the suggestion that it does to be completely offenive and small-minded. This has absolutely zero to do with religion. Thank you. Noah
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