u know wot the funny thing was abt wc 2002? the ref himself admitted that he chose to ignore the linesman who said it wasnt a dive, and admitted that he favoured south korea, yet no appologies to this day
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Blatter 'sorry' for Italy dive (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sateeh
- Start date
u know wot the funny thing was abt wc 2002? the ref himself admitted that he chose to ignore the linesman who said it wasnt a dive, and admitted that he favoured south korea, yet no appologies to this day
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Simply put it was a foul. It shouldn't have been a penalty, but it should have been an indirect free kick. And no way Pirlo or Totti were going to fail from that distance. The WC 2002 will be cleared up within few years I think. You can't sell a tournament like that. Not to mention the fact that, despite Italy winning it, 2006 was also a prime example of how FIFA wanted to give it all to Brazil.
<----we need that smiley 
Quite recently I have received many emails of what Blatter, the head of FIFA, said. After reading these emails and researching the issue of contention, I felt compelled to write an apologetic.
What is an apologetic, many of you say? Well it is the opposite of a polemic, which many Azzurri haters are doing right now -insulting Italy. Well now the time has come for Darth Vader to meet Luke Skywalker yet again. No, I wish not to write about this issue for I am a fan of many national teams. However, when I see a blatant lack of respect among journalists about Italy and the barrages of insults I have received that Italy sucks (put in the politest sense) and furthermore, since I write for the Italian section in addition to many other writers muzzling themselves on this issue, I feel compelled to step up to the plate.
Perhaps it is a ploy from my editor to get me to write about this as the other lads have not. I would have use the other title the case for Italy, but Gabriele Marcotti took that away form me. To the astute football fan, he was the man who wrote the article when Italy was criticized over playing defensive football and was written about 6-7 years ago. As we now know, Italy put the defense stigma behind them, so let us now focus on the apologetic.
Blatter the head of FIFA, to some is seen as a great man promoting fair play, racial equality and trying to make FIFA attain a far greater scope than the United Nations as the world loves football. On the other hand, he is seen as a scoundrel, corrupt, power hungry and a man who plays favorites. After all, 4 years ago he was accused of being corrupt and he seems to favour national sides. According to some journalists, he never liked the Italian Federation and to punish them he told the officials to let South Korea go through (just look 4 years later, hey went home in the first round).
Am I for conspiracy theories? No, but the officiating was biased in 2002. On the other hand, the Azzurri should have beaten South Korea. To some conspiracy reporters, he made a deal with Platini that France was to win the World Cup and Cannavaro would receive the best player of the tournament. However, it did not go according to plan as Italy came to play and showed their perseverance and nerves in the dreaded penalties. Therefore, to appease France, Zidane was awarded best players and as a sign of his enmity towards Italy, he did not hand then the trophy at the festivities. His number two did.
Aside from the conspiracy theories, let us focus on what he said. Italy did not deserve to win the World Cup for the penalty against Australia should have never been awarded. Australia deserved to progress to the next round. Well well well, looked at what the cat dragged in.
Firstly, did he apologize ever to the Italian Federation for 2002? 2) Is the notion the divine right of Kings still exist in the upper echelons of FIFA? Since when does a team deserve to win a World Cup? A team plays to win and by that notion victory should come. Not by divine right or we are this country and so forth.
Now let us focus on the Azzurri. If we look at past International tournaments, Lippi’s boys were comfortable in playing the game and confident. Not since Italia 90 and Zoff’s Euro 2000 squad were they ever comfortable. In past tournaments they seemed apprehensive and afraid to move the ball scared of their own shadow. Lippi got them out of the shell completely and fully implemented the Zoff project of playing attacking free flowing football, along with being a united cohesive unit not forgetting that defense also wins championships.
The plan went into full motion when their first real test was against Van Bastsn’s Holland. Lippi stated clearly “we are coming for victory and not to expect a Euro 2000 game. The critics laughed. On the other hand, as the saying goes, he who laughs first laughs last. Holland opened the scoring and Italy had a goal disallowed. But it did not stop them. Instead of retreating into a defensive shell, or not showing up for a friendly, the Azzurri gave a lesson in total football as they took control over the game. The impotent strike force was on Viagra and the Dutch defense could not stop a rampant Italy who took control over all areas of the game. Van Basten’s undefeated streak ended and the Rotterdam crowd was silenced. Clearly, this was a brand new Azzurri side and they took no prisoners. The signal was given. We are Italy and respect us. Italy marched on and gave Germany a 4-1 defeat in Florence.
Lippi had his plans. He wanted to defeat Brazil in a final and bring the cup to Rome. However, the scandal then plagued Italy and what seemed as a team that was fully capable of winning it, would go home early. The pundits changed the odds. On the other hand, Lippi got a team of egocentric stars and did a Capello. “I am the coach we all are in this together and live with it or go home.” Del Piero and Totti were not happy, but they wanted a chance at glory.
And that they did. They defeated a pesky Ghana and after the US debacle, they showed up and defeated the Czech Republic. The goaltending was superb, the defense was alert and they pushed forward.
Against Australia, Italy had full control of the first half and it could have been 2-0 at half time. Then in the second half Materazzi was red carded for no reason and Italy retreated but Australia rarely threatened. Marcello unleashed his secret weapon: Totti. As the game progressed it was clear the Aussies had trouble containing his fluid passes. His passes eventually went to Grosso and yes there was contact, hence a foul. Even if there was no foul, he was unmarked, away from the defender and he was in a great position to score or to pass it to other players.
Now the Quarterfinal. Italy dominated from start to finish. It was clear from 6 minutes on Lippi’s men would not take prisoners. Yes the Ukraine was unlucky, but they paid dearly for Italy were clinical cerebral assassins on the other end. Anything you can do we can do better. And so they did. Plus Toni was at his best.
Against Germany they had to beat the favorite team who never lost in that stadium for over 70 years on their home soil. They played the better first half as the Germans could not contain the flanks. They faltered in the second half, but in extra time the Azzurri threw everything they had at them and the notion of defense was thrown out. Germany played with fire and lost. Both teams gave a semifinal to remember and in the end, Italy got the result and off to Berlin. Not worthy to play in a final Blatter?
Now the final. Italy dominated the first half and after a blatant dive from Malouda which should have been a red card, France scored on a penalty. However, they marched on and les bleus had no response to Zambrotta’s runs and Pirlo’s dead ball situations. Hence, they scored and nearly scored again. In essence, the game should have never gone into extra time as Italy could have won 1-0. However, it did and it will forever be remembered for the head butt incident in which FIFA was clearly biased in awarding punishment and for the shoot out which saw Trezeguet become the new Baggio. Yes, Italy won on a razor thins edge, but Barthez could not stop any penalty.
Yes, Italy played with fire, but they won and if you are a frugal person they gave you drama and all the bang for the buck. After all, they made one see 120 plus minutes of soccer. What more could one ask for?
In the end who deserved to win it? England, Brazil, Argentina? Argentina blew it against Germany, Brazil was not the team and Germany would have beat them, England was well not there and France was just fortunate also as Spain self destructed and Portugal did not push forward fully enough and with coordination.
Oh yeah since we must apologize. Blatter should say sorry to Croatia as they were handed dubious decisions against Australia and to England as Ronaldo seemed to know what he was doing to anger Rooney. Plus he can apologize to the fans for the Portugal, Netherlands game where in my opinion both teams should have been kicked out of the competition. Was that football? Come on. He should also apologize to Italy for the fully visible dive and pathetic red card. Did he or will he? Not for now it seems like.
Oh and to all whom mentioned the Italian National Team is pathetic and so forth. Like it or not, Lippi’s boy’s came, saw and conquered. We lived with the shame of losing to South Korea, to France 3 times and to three shootouts. At this World Cup, the curse was broken as all the pain went away as the Azzurri rose from the ashes of past humiliations. A team which has never lost in regulation time for over 20 years at a World Cup and is seen as a favorite at every tournament deserves respect. And to all you Italy haters out there. Grow up and live with the shame that your side lost. We did for 24 years. Give Azzurri fans the respect they deserve and like it or not, they are World Champions till 2010. That is the name of the game.
Or is it just a ploy from Blatter to stir support in Oceania and to appease other federations and we are all overreacting? Does it matter who gave Italy the trophy? Debate on.
Bruno Cardile
What is an apologetic, many of you say? Well it is the opposite of a polemic, which many Azzurri haters are doing right now -insulting Italy. Well now the time has come for Darth Vader to meet Luke Skywalker yet again. No, I wish not to write about this issue for I am a fan of many national teams. However, when I see a blatant lack of respect among journalists about Italy and the barrages of insults I have received that Italy sucks (put in the politest sense) and furthermore, since I write for the Italian section in addition to many other writers muzzling themselves on this issue, I feel compelled to step up to the plate.
Perhaps it is a ploy from my editor to get me to write about this as the other lads have not. I would have use the other title the case for Italy, but Gabriele Marcotti took that away form me. To the astute football fan, he was the man who wrote the article when Italy was criticized over playing defensive football and was written about 6-7 years ago. As we now know, Italy put the defense stigma behind them, so let us now focus on the apologetic.
Blatter the head of FIFA, to some is seen as a great man promoting fair play, racial equality and trying to make FIFA attain a far greater scope than the United Nations as the world loves football. On the other hand, he is seen as a scoundrel, corrupt, power hungry and a man who plays favorites. After all, 4 years ago he was accused of being corrupt and he seems to favour national sides. According to some journalists, he never liked the Italian Federation and to punish them he told the officials to let South Korea go through (just look 4 years later, hey went home in the first round).
Am I for conspiracy theories? No, but the officiating was biased in 2002. On the other hand, the Azzurri should have beaten South Korea. To some conspiracy reporters, he made a deal with Platini that France was to win the World Cup and Cannavaro would receive the best player of the tournament. However, it did not go according to plan as Italy came to play and showed their perseverance and nerves in the dreaded penalties. Therefore, to appease France, Zidane was awarded best players and as a sign of his enmity towards Italy, he did not hand then the trophy at the festivities. His number two did.
Aside from the conspiracy theories, let us focus on what he said. Italy did not deserve to win the World Cup for the penalty against Australia should have never been awarded. Australia deserved to progress to the next round. Well well well, looked at what the cat dragged in.
Firstly, did he apologize ever to the Italian Federation for 2002? 2) Is the notion the divine right of Kings still exist in the upper echelons of FIFA? Since when does a team deserve to win a World Cup? A team plays to win and by that notion victory should come. Not by divine right or we are this country and so forth.
Now let us focus on the Azzurri. If we look at past International tournaments, Lippi’s boys were comfortable in playing the game and confident. Not since Italia 90 and Zoff’s Euro 2000 squad were they ever comfortable. In past tournaments they seemed apprehensive and afraid to move the ball scared of their own shadow. Lippi got them out of the shell completely and fully implemented the Zoff project of playing attacking free flowing football, along with being a united cohesive unit not forgetting that defense also wins championships.
The plan went into full motion when their first real test was against Van Bastsn’s Holland. Lippi stated clearly “we are coming for victory and not to expect a Euro 2000 game. The critics laughed. On the other hand, as the saying goes, he who laughs first laughs last. Holland opened the scoring and Italy had a goal disallowed. But it did not stop them. Instead of retreating into a defensive shell, or not showing up for a friendly, the Azzurri gave a lesson in total football as they took control over the game. The impotent strike force was on Viagra and the Dutch defense could not stop a rampant Italy who took control over all areas of the game. Van Basten’s undefeated streak ended and the Rotterdam crowd was silenced. Clearly, this was a brand new Azzurri side and they took no prisoners. The signal was given. We are Italy and respect us. Italy marched on and gave Germany a 4-1 defeat in Florence.
Lippi had his plans. He wanted to defeat Brazil in a final and bring the cup to Rome. However, the scandal then plagued Italy and what seemed as a team that was fully capable of winning it, would go home early. The pundits changed the odds. On the other hand, Lippi got a team of egocentric stars and did a Capello. “I am the coach we all are in this together and live with it or go home.” Del Piero and Totti were not happy, but they wanted a chance at glory.
And that they did. They defeated a pesky Ghana and after the US debacle, they showed up and defeated the Czech Republic. The goaltending was superb, the defense was alert and they pushed forward.
Against Australia, Italy had full control of the first half and it could have been 2-0 at half time. Then in the second half Materazzi was red carded for no reason and Italy retreated but Australia rarely threatened. Marcello unleashed his secret weapon: Totti. As the game progressed it was clear the Aussies had trouble containing his fluid passes. His passes eventually went to Grosso and yes there was contact, hence a foul. Even if there was no foul, he was unmarked, away from the defender and he was in a great position to score or to pass it to other players.
Now the Quarterfinal. Italy dominated from start to finish. It was clear from 6 minutes on Lippi’s men would not take prisoners. Yes the Ukraine was unlucky, but they paid dearly for Italy were clinical cerebral assassins on the other end. Anything you can do we can do better. And so they did. Plus Toni was at his best.
Against Germany they had to beat the favorite team who never lost in that stadium for over 70 years on their home soil. They played the better first half as the Germans could not contain the flanks. They faltered in the second half, but in extra time the Azzurri threw everything they had at them and the notion of defense was thrown out. Germany played with fire and lost. Both teams gave a semifinal to remember and in the end, Italy got the result and off to Berlin. Not worthy to play in a final Blatter?
Now the final. Italy dominated the first half and after a blatant dive from Malouda which should have been a red card, France scored on a penalty. However, they marched on and les bleus had no response to Zambrotta’s runs and Pirlo’s dead ball situations. Hence, they scored and nearly scored again. In essence, the game should have never gone into extra time as Italy could have won 1-0. However, it did and it will forever be remembered for the head butt incident in which FIFA was clearly biased in awarding punishment and for the shoot out which saw Trezeguet become the new Baggio. Yes, Italy won on a razor thins edge, but Barthez could not stop any penalty.
Yes, Italy played with fire, but they won and if you are a frugal person they gave you drama and all the bang for the buck. After all, they made one see 120 plus minutes of soccer. What more could one ask for?
In the end who deserved to win it? England, Brazil, Argentina? Argentina blew it against Germany, Brazil was not the team and Germany would have beat them, England was well not there and France was just fortunate also as Spain self destructed and Portugal did not push forward fully enough and with coordination.
Oh yeah since we must apologize. Blatter should say sorry to Croatia as they were handed dubious decisions against Australia and to England as Ronaldo seemed to know what he was doing to anger Rooney. Plus he can apologize to the fans for the Portugal, Netherlands game where in my opinion both teams should have been kicked out of the competition. Was that football? Come on. He should also apologize to Italy for the fully visible dive and pathetic red card. Did he or will he? Not for now it seems like.
Oh and to all whom mentioned the Italian National Team is pathetic and so forth. Like it or not, Lippi’s boy’s came, saw and conquered. We lived with the shame of losing to South Korea, to France 3 times and to three shootouts. At this World Cup, the curse was broken as all the pain went away as the Azzurri rose from the ashes of past humiliations. A team which has never lost in regulation time for over 20 years at a World Cup and is seen as a favorite at every tournament deserves respect. And to all you Italy haters out there. Grow up and live with the shame that your side lost. We did for 24 years. Give Azzurri fans the respect they deserve and like it or not, they are World Champions till 2010. That is the name of the game.
Or is it just a ploy from Blatter to stir support in Oceania and to appease other federations and we are all overreacting? Does it matter who gave Italy the trophy? Debate on.
Bruno Cardile
As he says, a 10 men Italy was still the better of Australia. Even without the penalty kick they were going to win that game. He leaves out several things though. Like it or not, Italy's always going to be controversial and I like it that way. You're either for or against, not something in between. For every hater out there, there's a lover.
He also talks as if public opinion has not yet acknowledged the fact 2002 seemed very much like a fixed World Cup. I don't think Blatter could ever apologise for 2002 as he, well, influenced the result himself.
I do agree that Italy deserve more respect. Yes Calciopoli struck hard, but guess what, Germany's not clean either. And to fucking Scandinavia: screw you, you don't know what sportsmanship is all about either. A highly suspicious 2-2 being regarded as clean simply because the culprits were Scandinavian is still something that disgusts me. Had it been Portugal and Italy that tied 2-2 we'd still be talking about it.
He also talks as if public opinion has not yet acknowledged the fact 2002 seemed very much like a fixed World Cup. I don't think Blatter could ever apologise for 2002 as he, well, influenced the result himself.
I do agree that Italy deserve more respect. Yes Calciopoli struck hard, but guess what, Germany's not clean either. And to fucking Scandinavia: screw you, you don't know what sportsmanship is all about either. A highly suspicious 2-2 being regarded as clean simply because the culprits were Scandinavian is still something that disgusts me. Had it been Portugal and Italy that tied 2-2 we'd still be talking about it.
