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Zidane sculpture in 2013 (archive image): The work of art will soon be on display again in Qatar
Photo: Fadi Al-Assaad / REUTERS
In time for the start of the World Cup in November, World Cup hosts Qatar want to unveil a sculpture depicting Zinedine Zidane's headbutt against Italy's defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
The artwork will be part of an exhibition at Doha's new International Sports Museum, Qatar Museums said.
The five meter high sculpture called "Coup de tête" had already stood on a beach promenade in 2013, but was removed after just under a month.
At the time, people in the conservative Muslim country complained that the work promoted the deification of the footballer.
Others criticized it as inciting violence and being tasteless.
One should not also honor Zidane's unsportsmanlike act by exhibiting the work of art.
“Development takes place in societies.
It takes time and people may criticize something at first, but then they understand and get used to it,” said Qatar Museums Chair Sheikha al-Mayassa al-Thani, sister of the ruling Emir of Qatar.
She said the sculpture's original location on the capital's seafront promenade was not the right one.
»Our goal is to empower people«
The sculpture by Algerian-born French artist Adel Abdessemed depicts the moment during extra time in the 2006 World Cup final when Zinedine Zidane headbutted Materazzi in Berlin.
Zidane was then sent off and Italy beat France on penalties.
Al-Mayassa told reporters the aim of the exhibition is to encourage conversations about "stress in athletes" and "the importance of managing mental health issues."
'Zidane is a good friend of Qatar.
And he is a great role model in the Arab world,” she said.
»Art, like everything else, is a matter of taste.
Our goal is to empower people.«
mboe/sid/Reuters