Lionel Messi A Spy? Know The Conspiracy Theories

HAVE you heard the one about football star Lionel Messi being an international spy? No? Well, what about the one which claims the Syrian war was actually staged? These are among the rumours circulating online for months about broadcaster Al Jazeera and its activities. But perhaps even more surprising than some of the rumours has been the response from the Doha-based media outlet. Rather than outrage, Al Jazeera has responded by producing a satirical video. From claims that Messi was bribed to send messages to rebel fighters with his on-field movements to the hilarious rumour it has a ‘fabrication room’, the video sums up the best of the rumours. A statement released by Al Jazeera said it decided to finally make light of the rumours and stories surrounding its brand, after “months of false reports circulating on regional and social media”. Real, fake, exaggerated or anything otherwise, here are some of just three of the funniest rumours. 1. Lionel Messi was a spy. Apparently, at least according to one theory, the star footballer communicated his on-field moves to rebel fighters. In the video, the subtitles reveal: “Al Jazeera persuaded me. “I met with their management and they convinced me by giving me new shoes and offering a lot of money.” The subtitles go on to say he was given certain tactics to follow on the field that matched the tactics of Syrian fighters. In 2012, pro-government Syrian television channel Addounia TV claimed his moves secretly indicated arms smuggling routes from Syria to Lebanon. The station superimposed a map of Syria on a screen to show how Messi and his teammates, who represent smugglers kick the ball which represented a weapons shipment, Spy Ghana reported. 2. The Syrian Revolution was made in Al Jazeera According to another rumour, the broadcaster made miniature structures of Syrian cities and squares to make it appear as if it was there. Oh, and it also apparently staged clashes between the Syrian army and rebels too. According to an article in the Syrian Free Press last year, the network were clearly agenda setting and Al Jazeera reporters were also told what information to release and alter regarding the war. 3. The secret black room Based in the broadcast headquarters, it apparently has a secret black room where not only are stories fabricated but a team is dedicated to “fabrication training”. In 2011, Syrian anchorwoman Luba Al Shibl caused a storm of controversy when she resigned from Al Jazeera criticising its non-credibility. She accused it of fabricating news about Syria with the intention of overthrowing Al Assad’s regime and mentioned the black room where stories were fabricated to serve certain political processes, msn Arabia reported.