LONDON, July 11: The president of Algeria said on Tuesday he had sent a letter of support to Zinedine Zidane after the French soccer captain was sent off in the World Cup final for head-butting an Italian opponent.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika described Zidane, a son of Algerian immigrants, as “a World Cup demi-god” and the best footballer in the world.

Zidane was sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi after exchanging comments with the Italian defender. Italy won the final after a penalty shoot-out.

“Yesterday I sent a personal letter on my behalf and on behalf of all the Algerian people to express my solidarity and my friendship to Zidane, and to give him some comfort,”

Bouteflika told a news conference in London after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

“He was a demi-god of the World Cup, but five minutes later for many people unfortunately he become something that sports men should shy away from,” said the president, speaking through a translator. “He has not lost his own human dimension.”—Reuters