It was an act of gratuitous violence that has no place on a football field or anywhere in life for that matter.  Obviously Materazzi is well schooled in the Australian Cricketers art of ‘sledging’.  If you dont know what sledging is, it is when you say something to one of the opposition to put them off their game.  It goes on all the time in all sports and is often part of the craic and banter of competing.

That being said Materazzi was able to push Zidanes button like I have never seen a button pushed, it will be interesting to see what comes out. I would not be suprised if the comment was of a racist nature bearing in mind Zidanes Algerian background.

Check out the video if you have not seen it

Whatever the comment was I would have thought that Zidane would have heard it all before in his career and that’s what makes his reaction so mystifying. I wish I knew more about Zidane’s background so I could comment further.  Lets hope it is not the start of further self destructive behaviour.

Beckham has demonstrated that he has been able to contain that petulant agressiveness he had when he was younger into a calmer more focused individual, who is now a better all round player.  It demonstrates that anger and aggression can be chanelled for improved sports performance

Link: Independent Online Edition > News.

Hoddle: Psychologist can make Rooney ‘even better’ By Nick Townsend Published: 29 January 2006 Glenn Hoddle, who has long believed in the mental and, indeed, spiritual wellbeing of his players, claimed last night that Wayne Rooney would benefit from sessions with a sports psychologist to help cure his suspect temperament.

As his Wolverhampton Wanderers side prepare for their fourth-round FA Cup tie with Manchester United at Molineux today, the former England coach said that the 20-year-old striker "could become greater than anything England’s ever had. I really believe that". However, Hoddle added that though Rooney’s demeanour (referring to his aggression on occasions towards officials, opponents and even his own players, notably David Beckham against Northern Ireland) was "a part of his power, a part of his mental strength, part of his make-up, there’s definitely some work that could be done with sports psychologists that would help him.