Readers increase discussions about Zidane

2006-07-20

In the past week, Magharebia readers' responses to the fallout of Zinedine Zidane's infamous World Cup head-butting incident have varied from support to disdain to wonderment as to why Magharebia highlighted his Algerian roots so much.

In line with our three most-read articles of the week being Zinedine Zidane-related, the fallout from the French-Algerian football superstar's expulsion from the World Cup for head butting is the most popular topic of reader feedback.

"I totally support Zidane in his reaction. This will in no way undermine his position as a valuable football player as the best in the world. We as Algerians are proud that he is one of us!!" said Massouda. Nina added, "Zidane is a great irreplaceable player and he is well-educated. He did well by giving a blow to Matterazi. Bravo Zizou and the Algerians are with you." Imene also offered support by saying, "Zidane was right."

Other readers were less supportive of Zidane.

"I wish Zidane gets punished," stated Mjhoul. "It was not good for Zidane to do that," added Hicham.

Another issue readers expressed is why the Algerian roots of a native-born French player such as Zidane are constantly being highlighted in Magharebia.

Oukaci commented on our 17 July feature Zidane to return to Algeria. "We are alienated. From now on, they will back down from nothing to fool the ARAB people. Zidane, a French citizen, became by miracle the super Algerian citizen. But the 32 million Algerians still haven't managed to snatch up their citizen status. No comment!"

Mourad referred to our 10 July feature Zinedine Zidane's illustrious career ends with an act of madness (English title). He asked, "Why don't we have the name of this 'reporter?' 'Act of madness??' Are you a medical doctor or just try to be famous by defaming famous people? To write this type of cynical headline quickly reveals the bias and bad nature of the reporter. It also reminds us of the constant link of people. A French citizen with Algerian descendant when ugly reporters want… to keep a negative and terrorist image of the Muslim or anything associated with an Arab name resonance. We don't see the same policy or name linking with ethnic background when talking about the famous French interior minister. Something missing about his Hungarian descendant ... This is a full disrespect to the readers when adopting a double language. I am very disappointed by the posting of blatant discriminatory writing."

The feature did not carry a reporter's name because it was assembled from numerous press articles. Many Magharebia sources referred to Zidane's head butting incident over a personal insult, which lessened the chances of all his team winning the World Cup, as "madness".

The reason most of our Zidane coverage referred to his Algerian heritage is because our website is aimed at the Maghreb. As evidenced by the immense great popularity of our Zidane coverage, it is clear that readers are greatly interested in someone linked to them ethnically. We do not refer to the French interior minister's heritage because Hungarians are not our audience.