“They need it more than us,” Slimani was quoted as saying. According to FIFA financial documents, the Algerian team is set to receive $9 million after its loss to Germany on Tuesday in the round of 16. The Algerian Football Federation has not confirmed Slimani’s statement.
Footage of the Algerian team’s homecoming parade shows a Palestinian flag draped from the team’s bus.
Slimani’s remark comes amid escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. On June 30, the bodies of three Israelis, Eyal Yifrach, 19, and Naftali Fraenkel and Gilad Shaer, both 16, were found after 18 days of intense searching. On Wednesday, Palestinian Mohammed Abu Khudair, 17, was found dead in an apparent revenge killing.
BA/BA