ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -Zinedine Zidane went back to his roots on Friday, wrapping up a five-day trip to Algeria by visiting the village where his parents came from.
The soccer superstar, in retirement since he led France to the World Cup final in July, has been welcomed as a national hero in Algeria. Thousands of people lined the winding road to Aguemoun, his parents' village in the mountains east of the capital Algiers.
Villagers had prepared a giant couscous in his honor. Zidane was accompanied by his parents and brother.
Zidane last visited the area when he was 14, in 1986. His trip has been a major event for this North African nation and former French colony.
Zidane was expelled from the World Cup final for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in extra time. Italy won the title on penalty kicks.
On Friday, French fans lost their bid for an official investigation into Zidane's red card. The fans said doubts remained over how one of the officials learned about the head-butt.
They claimed the fourth official's view of the incident was blocked, and that he had to rely on a video replay to make the call - a move not permitted under FIFA rules.
The fans wanted the match to be replayed.
But Judge Jean-Claude Magendie threw out the case, filed by two groups of soccer fans whose names translate as "World Cup 2006 Justice" and "The National Action Group for Truth in the World Cup Final 2006."
Magendie said any probe was not justified. He ordered the fans to pay the legal fees for FIFA and the French federation, who had called the fans' actions a "publicity stunt."
