This guy should really be sacked from the FIFA. He has been criticizing the Azzuri for a long time now! It is sad to see the president of FIFA himself say such words. It is even sadder to see no response to it form any other nation other than Italy.

As an Azzuri fan, This really did hurt me.

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Blatter apologises for Italy win

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has further infuriated Italian fans by apologising to Australia for the Azzurri’s World Cup victory.

The second round match was goalless and heading for extra time following Marco Materazzi’s controversial straight red card when Fabio Grosso fell over a Lucas Neill challenge.

Francesco Totti stepped up to convert the stoppage-time penalty with the last kick of the game on June 26 and send Italy on towards their eventual Final triumph.

Australian supporters were angry at the decision by Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo and the FIFA President stepped out of his official role to make a bizarre announcement.

“I agree with them and I would like to apologise to our fans in Australia,” said Blatter. “The Socceroos should have gone into the quarter-finals in place of Italy, because they were up to beating Italy.”

The Azzurri went unbeaten throughout the entire tournament, notching up four wins and two draws in the 90 minutes – seeing off Germany 2-0 in extra time and beating France on penalties in the Final.

Blatter had already caused controversy with his comments after the July 9 Berlin match by stating it was “a tragedy” to see the World Cup assigned on a shoot-out.

This was the second time the trophy had been decided this way, as in 1994 Italy lost to Brazil in Pasadena.

The FIFA President also failed to hand over the World Cup to Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. He was in the stands, but UEFA President Lennart Johansson took these duties instead. It has never been clarified why the change was made.

"I think the referees were not at their best," continued Blatter. "I think they were too well prepared or not looked after the right way. They were in a military camp situation. And I think there was too much cheating on the players' side.”

Yet Italy also felt aggrieved by the refereeing in the Australia match, as Medina Cantalejo showed Materazzi a straight red card for a late, but by no means violent, tackle on Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano.

“I certainly don’t think it was worthy of a straight red, but I saw the referee’s eyes were determined, so decided not to argue and risk a longer ban,” said Matrix at the time.

“The important thing is that the world saw what happened.” So did FIFA, who only handed the Inter hard man, standing in for the injured Alessandro Nesta, the regulation one-match suspension

*Channel4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct29h.html)

Gigi Riva and Marcello Lippi reacted angrily to Sepp Blatter’s suggestion Italy didn’t deserve to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Australian supporters were angry Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo awarded a last-gasp penalty for a soft challenge on Fabio Grosso, converted by Francesco Totti, in the 1-0 win over Australia.

“I agree with them and I would like to apologise to our fans in Australia,” said the FIFA President. “The Socceroos should have gone into the quarter-finals in place of Italy, because they were up to beating Italy.”

Obviously these comments infuriated the Italian football world, in particular FIGC Vice-Commissioner and Azzurri legend Riva.

“We won’t permit him to say these things. Blatter must respect the World Cup winners,” he slammed.

“I am astonished, because when we went to see him in Zurich, he complimented the team for the victory and said we had been the best team in the tournament.”

As Blatter is not new to criticising Italian football, stating it was “a tragedy” that they had won the 2006 World Cup Final over France in a penalty shoot-out, Riva pointed out a few other incidents that raise suspicions over his treatment of Calcio.

“A lot of things add up now. Blatter didn’t attend the ceremony to hand over the World Cup trophy, which was unheard of in the history of the spot. Let’s not forget the two-match ban to Marco Materazzi, a decision that the world over found laughable.”

Materazzi was headbutted by Zinedine Zidane in the Final on July 9, but while Zizou was given a three-game suspension, the ‘victim’ was also banned for two matches for “provoking” the incident.

Both the Inter defender and Frenchman denied reports the provocation had been in any way racist or insulting to his religion.

1982 World champion Marco Tardelli also reacted to Blatter’s latest bizarre comments on Italy’s victory.

“If these quotes are real, then it’s a real tragedy,” said the man whose goal celebrations lit up Spain ’82.

“I want to believe he was misquoted. It would be a horrible gesture against Italian football and a confirmation of what we all thought when Blatter didn’t turn up to present the trophy. Above all, it’d be an attempt to influence referees in the next few Italy games.”

Azzurri Coach Marcello Lippi remained unbeaten during the German tournament and was hesitant to answer these accusations.

“I have just heard about this. I prefer, at least for the moment, to not make a comment. When I’ve had time to get a better idea of what was said, I can express my opinion,” said the former Juventus boss.

*Channel4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct29k.html)

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So if the words were true, would Italy just leave the FIFA?

he's stupid ! it's not the first time . I really would love to see some old great players " Platini , Beckenpauer (sP) taking charge of the world most powerfull sport organization!

...but i mean COME ON!

i rather watch Golf than watch Italy play. !!!

they are sooo boring!!! ** defend * defend * defend**

the cup should have gone to france. Zidane was just amazing.


but this is life, unfair.

But they won, didnt they? They were the better side werent they? Defence is just a tactic, just like attacking, and in tactics, Italy was better.

Zidane was not amazing, why? Because he could not control himself.

they won. thats right, but that doesn't mean we enjoyed it :p

but am sorry . if you say zidane isn't amazing, you don't know football my friend :)

Zidane is amazing, but when you say a player was amazing in a match, you dont just say that because of his performance, its also the way he played the game, the way he treated the game. The way I see it, he disrespected the match and showed no importance of it.

I enjoyed the game, it was so enjoying my blood was boiling. Thats what happens when I enjoy a game.

disrespected!!! showed no importance of it!!!

That guy offended his sister and mother! these two people are holy in our culture. and you expect him to respect the game !!? the hell with the game if my mother or sister get offended by flith.

**BAM!! headbutt!!

he proved to be 100% arab after all :D

he chose to protect his honor and headbutt that jerk, instead of lifting a stupid cup.

now thats what i call character ;) HE's DA MAN!!




let me prove to you that italy was boring.

what do you think people recall the most about the world cup?

Italy lifting the Cup

Or Zidanes headbutt.

Materazzi did not mention Zizou's mother. I remember a lot from that game, and what I remember from that match most is Fabio Grosso's penalty kick!

ya right !..

ask anybody on the street about what they remember most from the final match.


Zidane BRO!

but am sorry this shouldn't be a zidane topic. this is my last chit chat :P

and i already posted my opinion :p no offence

The funny thing is, that blatter did not even apologize to the Italians after what happend in 2002

Damage "That guy offended his sister and mother! these two people are holy in our culture." First of all, materatzi did not insult his mum or sister, 2nd of all what do u mean by "our" culture, Zidane is originaly Algerian yeh we get that, but he does not have our culture, he's a french man, he only had the arabic blood, anyway thats not the point. This Blatter guy does not deserve to be the president of FIFA what the hell? Apolojizing to the Australians because THEY deserved to reach the semi finals more than Italy? Where did he get that from? Whatever.. Italy won and thats that. Let them all go to hell!

I read this yesterday. and i was frustrated!

2002WC, Totti was sent off for having a 2nd card which he didn’t deserve. and italy lost that game. Blatter didn’t say award about it.

2004Euro, Totti was given a 3match ban for spitting on the Danish player, the Danish player was "innocent" and totti was blamed.

Platini and Beckenpauer, they are just the same. And they hate italy just as much. and that will show when Platini be voted for the Euro thing.

In my point of view, they can cry from now till tomo, Italy still has the fourth STAR.

People are not the same, Just like the fingers they are not the same. We all have different tastes, its like NabHan and Madonna. You enjoy attacking games. I enjoy Defensive games. And I feel defensive games coaches get involved more in them.

`Words of Wisdom

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has backtracked on his latest comments by insisting that Italy deserved to win the World Cup this summer.

Blatter caused angry reactions in Italy after stating that he wanted to apologise to Australian fans, as he believed the Socceroos should have gone into the quarter-finals in place of Italy.

“The Italian national team showed us all that they are capable of playing excellent football and proved their superior technical qualities,” said the Swiss official on Monday.

“I only meant to give the Socceroos the credit they deserved, because they played a good match and the lack of experience was probably one of the reasons which didn’t allow them to go to the extra time.”

The director of SBS television, who aired the incriminated interview, confirmed that Blatter never stated that Italy had ‘stolen’ the World Cup.

He added that there was no discussion on the fact that the penalty awarded by Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo to the Azzurri for the challenge on Fabio Grosso was a mistake.

Federal Vice-Commissioner Gigi Riva had reacted furiously to Blatter, demanding respect for the World Cup winners, while former Azzurri Coach Marcello Lippi had preferred to not make any comments.

*Channel4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct30k.html)

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So he realized that he was wrong

Who cares! Most of the time, he makes no sense.

as a matter of Fact ! Zidane was amazing and France deserved to win WC , but this is football, doesn't mean Italy win is not deserved though.

Damage "That guy offended his sister and mother! these two people are holy in our culture." First of all, materatzi did not insult his mum or sister, 2nd of all what do u mean by "our" culture, Zidane is originaly Algerian yeh we get that, but he does not have our culture, he's a french man, he only had the arabic blood, anyway thats not the point. This Blatter guy does not deserve to be the president of FIFA what the hell? Apolojizing to the Australians because THEY deserved to reach the semi finals more than Italy? Where did he get that from? Whatever.. Italy won and thats that. Let them all go to hell!

Maybe we are wrong, maybe we are not

Video (http://www.m5zn.com/download3.php?filename=525f8afccc.wmv)

but why do you think those officals dislike italy?

because if the world started playing like italy, football is dead!

they would make the Game so boring.

games would be determined by penalties and red cards.

sure if you like the way they play nothing wrong with that, and they did after all win the world cup.


but if you want real football, watch brazil. the whole world wants to see what brazil does in the world cup. because brazil plays beautiful football and that why those officals love brazil, cuz brazil brings in money.

Actually I think Italy made football more interesting!

but why do you think those officals dislike italy?

because if the world started playing like italy, football is dead!

they would make the Game so boring.

games would be determined by penalties and red cards.

sure if you like the way they play nothing wrong with that, and they did after all win the world cup.


but if you want real football, watch brazil. the whole world wants to see what brazil does in the world cup. because brazil plays beautiful football and that why those officals love brazil, cuz brazil brings in money.


We are back to square one!!

In my point of view Brazil is a team with no coach!

Its just a matter of who do you like! And dont tell me that the whole world wants to see Brazil play! I for 1 dont!

Niether do i ! actually i hate them !

I like Brasil, but I watch them just to watch Kaka' ;)

jk,

It really depends, when you see the second team play, they are better than the 1st team sometimes.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has apologised to Italy for not presenting the Azzurri with the World Cup in Berlin. “It was a mistake,” he declared.

The head of football’s world governing body had infuriated Italian fans by failing to hand over the World Cup to Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro at the end of the July 9 win over France.

This was despite the fact that he was in the stands at the Berlin stadium, with UEFA President Lennart Johansson instead presenting La Nazionale with the trophy.

“History will say that it was a mistake for the FIFA President not to present Italy with their award and I admit that it was so,” said Blatter on Monday in Rome, where he will attend the ceremony honouring the 23 World Cup winners and Coach Marcello Lippi.

“I had already apologised to the authorities for what happened. I only wanted to avoid being booed,” added the Swiss official, who had also suggested that Italy didn’t deserve to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, before backtracking on his comments.

“Italy deserved to win the World Cup. The Azzurri were in a difficult situation in Germany and reacted well, playing excellent football.

“My words in the interview to the Australian television were misunderstood, you just needed to listen to the tape to understand that I didn’t say what was then reported.

“Will I say anything about the infamous episode involving Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi? I am here to meet all the Azzurri, I am sure there will one day be peace between the two players,” concluded Blatter.

*Channel4 (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan8h.html)

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Huh? Why would he get booed for presenting the cup to the winning team?

Actually I think Italy made football more interesting!

They're beautiful, aren't they?

FORZA AZZURI!

Italy should have won the 2002 world cup too. It had already been decided that Italy was to be beaten before their match against Korea.

"Italy will win Euro 2008 despite their habbits and enemies." Yes guys, you can quote me.