FACT CHECK: Are Saudi Arabia Players Each Getting A Rolls-Royce For Defeating Argentina In The World Cup?
A post shared on Facebook claims players on the Saudi Arabia national football team are each getting a Rolls-Royce for defeating Argentina during a 2022 FIFA World Cup match.
Verdict: False
Saleh Alshehri, a player on the Saudi Arabia national football team, denied the claim during a press conference. Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard also denied the claim, according to the New York Post.
Fact Check:
Saudi Arabia was eliminated from the World Cup Nov. 30 after losing a match against Mexico, Fox News reported. Although Mexico won the match, they were eliminated from the tournament as well after a 95th minute goal by Saudi Arabia, according to ESPN.
The Facebook post purports each player on the Saudi Arabia national football team would receive a Rolls-Royce for defeating Argentina during a 2022 World Cup match. “Saudi Arabia Players To Get A Rolls-Royce Each For Defeating Argentina,” the post’s caption reads.
The claim is false. There are no credible news reports supporting the claim. Likewise, the Saudi Arabia national football team has neither mentioned the claim on their website nor their verified social media accounts.
Saleh Alshehri, a player on the Saudi Arabia national football team, denied the claim when asked about it during a press conference. “It’s not true,” Alshehri said, according to a video of the press conference shared on Twitter.
صحفي بريطاني حاول إستفزاز صالح الشهري:
سمعت بعد فوزكم المذهل امام الارجنتين تم تقديم هدية لكل لاعب سيارات روزرايز، هل هذا صحيح واي لون اخترت ؟
صالح الشهري: غير صحيح
الصحفي: مؤسف اليس كذلك؟
صالح الشهري: نحن هنا لخدمة الدولة. @xlal_ pic.twitter.com/NonGWU76bb
— نواف التميمي 📊. (@Nawaf_STATS) November 25, 2022
“We are here to serve our country and do the best, so that’s our biggest achievement,” he added. (RELATED: Were German World Cup Players Prohibited From Landing In Qatar Due To A Pro-Diversity Logo?)
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard also confirmed the claim was false. “There is nothing true about this,” Renard said, according to the New York Post. “We have a very serious federation and ministry of sport and it is not the time to get something at this moment.”
Check Your Fact has contacted a Saudi Arabian Football Federation spokesperson for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
