Qatar to re-install Zidane headbutt statue

An October 2013 Reuters file photo of the bronze sculpture titled 'Coup de Tete' on the Corniche in Doha

Qatar plans to re-install a sculpture of French-Algerian soccer player Zinedine Zidane, which had been removed in 2013, said the Chairperson of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani on Monday. 

The 5-metre bronze work called "Coup de tête" was removed days after its unveiling.

"Evolution happens in societies. It takes time and people may criticize something to begin with, but then understand it and get used to it," said Sheikha Al-Mayassa.

Sheikha Al-Mayassa said the original site on the capital's seafront Corniche was "not right" and that the sculpture would be remounted at the new sports museum 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

The sculpture by Algerian-born French artist Adel Abdessemed depicts the moment during extra time in the 2006 World Cup final when Zidane head-butted Italy's Marco Materazzi. Zidane was sent off and Italy went on to beat France on penalties.

Sheikha Al-Mayassa told reporters the aim of displaying the work was to promote conversations about "stress on athletes...and the importance of dealing with issues of mental health".

"Zidane is a great friend of Qatar. And he's a great role model for the Arab world," she said. "Art, like anything else, is a matter of taste. Our goal is to empower people."