Soccer is NOT Apartheid

Everyone knows I am a devoted France fan, which means I love (love) Zidane, and hate Materazzi. I was heartbroken after the World Cup, and still am, kind-of, about the way Zidane ended his amazing career. However, even I understand that there is a difference between the Greek tragedy of the World Cup 2006 final and real human tragedy.

Today, FIFA announced that for whatever reason it wants to stage a reconciliation between Zidane and Materazzi, which is stupid in and of itself -- let it go, Sepp. But get this! They want it to be on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. COME ON. The idea that a World Cup game, no matter how controversial and heartbreaking, could in any way compare to the suffering of black South Africans in general and Nelson Mandela in particular is insulting. What the hell are they thinking??