Fifa makes mockery of fair play

FIFA got it all wrong and made fair play sound like a dirty phrase when they accepted the media vote and announced the disgraced Zinedine Zidane as the Best Player of World Cup 2006. Class and behaviour go together. Sheer ball artistry and disgraceful sent-offs cannot be considered separately.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has a view on everything, is ultimately responsible for the blunder which made all the streamers paraded before every match and all the efforts advocating fair play meaningless or simply cosmetic.

Mr Blatter, whose reported but unconfirmed salary is Lm1.2 million plus $500-a-day pocket money, should donate his hefty bonus to charity to atone for this unforgivable slip.

The final attracted more than a billion viewers including millions of youngsters looking for role models. And who better than the star of the tournament? Surely not the one who tarnished his image once again, because Zidane has a knack of losing his marbles. Football is a sport which offers great possibilities of promoting real values. FIFA tries to imply that the governing body insists on fair play but what it actually allowed to happen made a mockery of the two words. Zidane topped the card list with three yellows and one red during the World Cup. Never mind his recorded odd violent behavior during his career.

As voting for the Best Player was open till midnight, who in his senses would select ZZ after his dismal dismissal? The least FIFA could have done when presented with the details was to revoke. It should also make it known to journalists that players guilty of irresponsible behaviour should not be considered for such a prestigious award. Unsporting behaviour should come at a cost.