Reports That Algeria Will Donate Their World Cup Prize Money to Gaza Are False

Updates from Thursday, July 3

It seems as though the rumours that the Algerian national team would be donating all of their World Cup prize winnings to the people of Gaza may have been the product of a story perpetuated by Twitter. 

On Wednesday night, a handful of media outlets picked up the feel-good story of the Algerians giving off their prize money. 

By Thursday morning, it was revealed that there was little substance behind the rumour. 

"

Hate to burst everyone's bubble, but there's no credible source for #ALG players donating their bonuses to Gaza. Twitter rumour gone mad.

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

No source for the quote, 'They need it more than us.' Nothing in Algerian press, and the FAF haven't said anything either.

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

That said those following me might have noticed affection of #ALG supporters for Palestine. Fans sing 'Palestine the martyrs' at every match

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

Palestinian flag on display at the parade yesterday pic.twitter.com/tyk216dpi6

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

Seems like the rumour was started by this guy https://t.co/5l1t7DeMMk. No idea who he is... Rambles incoherently about Slimani and Gaza.

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

Then @waleedabunada took that and reconstructed the quote to 'They need it more than us.' He got 2K RT out of it. DailyMail/others hopped on

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

"

It blew up on facebook and you know how things go. Now LeButeur, an Algerian newspaper, is quoting the DailyMail. What a mess.

— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) July 3, 2014"

Editor's note: The headline of this article was changed to reflect the original story of Algeria donating money to Gaza being disproved.

Original text

While African nations Ghana and Cameroon were involved in high-profile money disputes over their World Cup participation, Algeria have announced that they're planning on putting their World Cup cash to good use. 

Algeria won over a lot of new fans with a spirited World Cup that saw them advance into the round of 16 for the first time in the country's history and fought valiantly to an extra-time defeat to favoured Germany. 

Now they'll have even more fans, as forward Islam Slimani announced in the aftermath of the tournament that the entire squad will donate all of their prize money to the people of embattled Gaza. That figure is estimated to be about $9,000,000 (roughly £5,250,000). 

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Striker Islam Slimani has revealed #ALG will donate their World Cup prize money to the people in Gaza. "They need it more than us."

— Waleed Abu Nada (@waleedabunada) July 2, 2014"

Given the show of respect from the players, it comes as little surprise that the team was given an open-top bus parade upon return to Algeria in spite of a round-of-16 exit. 

"

Amazing! Algeria fans give team heroic welcome home after World Cup exit: http://t.co/ZlWboSUlHO pic.twitter.com/lrpAYLC9On

— Metro Sport (@Metro_Sport) July 2, 2014"

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