Zambian fans disappointed at Zidane's head butt
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-11 09:23

Zambian soccer fans were disappointed at French captain Zinidine Zidane's "unbecoming conduct" during the World Cup finals Sunday night at which the renowned soccer player was sent off with a red card after head butting Italy's Marco Materrazzito.

Musenge Mulenga said the French skipper's conduct was unexpected by a renowned player of his caliber.

"He has lost out as an international soccer star like renowned stars like Brazilian soccer ace Pele and (England's) David Beckham," said Mulenga.

Another soccer fan Fred Phiri said it was sad that Zidane could fall so low as in head butting Materrazito as a way to settle scores after the two teams were deadlocked almost at full time.

Phiri suggested that the French captain should have held his cool during the tense match and would have instead waited for the penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.

Local fans said they were happy with one full month of World Cup matches but were saddened with the Zidane's mis-conduct which saw him being red carded after the incident.

France lost to Italy by 5-3 after the teams finished level at 1-1 after extra time in a dramatic penalty shoot-out encounter.