Zidane's head-butt inspires song [audio clip]

PARIS - France has a case of summer blues over its World Cup soccer defeat but captain Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi in Sunday's final is already the subject of a song that aims to be a holiday hit.

"Coup de Boule", the French translation for head-butt, was written by the three associates of Plage Records, a small label specialising in advertising music.

>> Listen to the song

Zidane, widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, was sent off for head-butting Materazzi after exchanging comments with the Italian defender. Italy won the final after a penalty shoot-out.

The label's founders, brothers Emmanuel and Sebastien Lipszyc, and composer Franck Lascombes penned the Caribbean zouk-influenced song and its chorus "Zidane, il a tape" ("Zidane, the hit man"), as a cure to their post-defeat disappointment.

But what started as a therapy and a prank to cheer up their friends could turn into a lucrative business.

Initially emailed to some 50 contacts, the song has been posted on the internet, with French radio SkyRock putting it on its play-list and record labels and ringtone sellers fighting for its rights.

Big labels could fork out as much as 100,000 euros for the rights, some industry sources estimate.

"It just went incredibly fast and by Tuesday it was sheer madnesss," Sebastien said.

"We are talking with four big labels and we could sign a deal tomorrow ... Yes, it could become lucrative but if we can make everybody dance to it this summer, it will give us a good laugh," he added.

A poll published this week showed 61 per cent of French people have forgiven Zidane for the outburst which earned him a red card. Zidane's sponsors have pledged to stick with him.

- REUTERS