LONDON: Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for omitting the circumstances surrounding the killing in Gaza of a footballer known as the “Palestinian Pele.”
Suleiman Al-Obeid, a former Palestine national team star, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces opened fire on a group of people waiting to access humanitarian aid in southern Gaza, the Palestinian Football Association said.
On Friday, European football’s governing body posted a two-sentence tribute to the midfielder on X that said: “Farewell to Suleiman Al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele.’ A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah replied to UEFA’s post on Saturday saying: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Al-Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine, scoring more than 100 goals. The PFA said his long career, which included playing for Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza and Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank, made him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.
UEFA’s post sparked a largely angry reaction, with many among the 12,000 comments questioning why the tribute appeared to play down Israel’s role in Al-Obeid’s death.
The BBC’s former “Match of the Day” presenter Gary Lineker shared Salah’s message and said: “We can’t hear you UEFA.”
Salah has made large financial donations toward aid efforts in Gaza, and in 2023 urged world leaders to ensure enough aid could reach the Palestinian territory.
Speaking shortly after Israel began its devastating military campaign, Salah said: “All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart.”
Al-Obeid, who was born in Gaza City, was married and had five children, AFP reported. The midfielder was among the more than 1,300 Palestinians killed near aid distribution points since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by the US and Israel, took over aid operations in the territory earlier this year.
Israel’s invasion has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, including more than 600 from the sport and scouting sector, the PFA said.
