Zizou

Zidane to work with children as penalty for his headbutt:

"ZINEDINE Zidane is to carry out three days of community service after the headbutting incident that marred the World Cup final, football's governing body declared yesterday."

Both Zinedine and Materazzi have had disciplinary action elsewhere and it is not surprising really. The tribunal which has judged this case appears to have heard and judged it with a very level headed approach. Having been in French environment for a week, I have really been brought up to speed on football!! The newspapers and news stands in Noumea were full of Zizou and I read all the articles in the newspapers I bought, but the local radio in New Caledonia was carrying some big programmes and discussions about it and then France Inter, which was also on the radio there, was discussing it. Some people were wearing T shirts :

ZIZOU NE NOUS QUITTE PAS SUR UN COUP DE TETE

(Zizou don't leave us on a head butt)

Zinedine was everywhere and the discussions were very detailed and passionate. I really enjoyed it because all the angles were considered. Coming home on the plane sealed the story for me because they showed a programme of our Socceroos and the pressures on them and the sorts of decisions they had to make. This sport is generating thousands and thousands of dollars. The amount of money riding on it is huge. The players are suffering from the pressure of the almighty dollar. It can mean big money for them, but the expectations are also high and they way they have to live is not necessarily what they want. One of our guys didn't particularly like all the "royal" treatment and fuss made of him. You start to understand then the sorts of pressures which have to be on players in a grand final of the World Cup . Their need to win. Their need to please millions of people. It must be very difficult. When you hear Zinedine speaking he is very quietly articulate , very rational and honest. Disarming. Yes...he was all over the tele as well!! He is like our footballers...a man with a balanced view, but this man is totally in the spotlight all the time and a lot is expected of him. Likewise the Italian players. I am glad the matter is resolved and I am glad Zinedine is working with children for community service. He has children of his own and has a lot to offer young lives.