Doubts over story about Algerian footballers giving earnings to Gaza

It's been widely reported in the last 24 hours that the Algerian team donated their World Cup earnings to charity, but there appears to be no real basis for the claims.

The story started appearing after their defeat to Germany on Monday. It was the first time the national side had ever gone further than the group stages of a World Cup finals and they returned home to a heroes welcome.

ALGERIA: @LesVerts returned home to a hero's welcome in Algiers #ALG - http://t.co/2TfMJq5CDs pic.twitter.com/h42Egbv8Ts

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2014

The story then started appearing that the team had said they would donate all earnings from the tournament to poor and needy of Gaza.

Algeria's World Cup team to donate salary to people of Gaza: 'they need it more than us' http://t.co/rSTCyFRrgo pic.twitter.com/0AJm6KCPsW

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) July 3, 2014

Good Guys Algeria To Do Something Unbelievable With World Cup Bonuses http://t.co/rQSVvpAG3D pic.twitter.com/h60ykpjNzV

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 3, 2014

The story has also been picked up and published in print media. The Daily Mail quoted striker Islam Slimani as saying: “They need it more than us.”

However, doubts have been raised about the truth of these reports. Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi writes for ESPN and The Telegraph and believes there's no basis for the story.

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

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

These reports follow the true story that the Greek squad refused their World Cup bonuses and asked that the money be used to fund a training centre in their native country instead.

“We do not want extra bonuses, or money, we only play for Greece and its people,” ~Greece football team

— Brian Anthony Courtenay Lewis (@briaclew) July 1, 2014