DEATH THREAT IN ZIDANE MAIL

The Issy-les-Moulineaux police department in Paris received the letter at the end of September in which the sender claimed he would carry out the threat in France's friendly game with Algeria on Saturday.

The police have now dismissed the death threat as nonsence and that Zidane was in no danger.

"In his letter the writer says that something will happen on Saturday evening at Stade de France during France's friendly with Algeria," a police spokesperson told L'equipe.

"This message comes from an unstable person. We receive tons of letters like that. The words in the letter are nonsense."

Zizou, the world's most expensive player at £44.5 million, was born in Marseille but his father is Algerian.

The Real Madrid ace has a soft spot for the African country and had earlier revealed how much he was looking forward to the fixture.

"I am the only player of Algerian origin in the squad and I am proud of that. I will feel a little emotion," explained the 29-year-old.               

"Even if Roger Lemerre won't appreciate it, if I have to choose a draw for the French team I would like it to be this match."

France's friendly with Algeria in Paris will be the first time the two nations have faced each other since 1962 with the Zidane threat adding an extra tension ahead of the encounter.

An estimated 640 security officials of the French anti-terror brigade have been called in to guarantee safety in and around the Parc Des Princes.