UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid

Nine child refugees from Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iraq carried the banner onto the pitch before the game. (AP)
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Updated 14 August 2025
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UEFA pays tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid

  • ‘Palestinian Pele’ killed by Israeli gunfire while awaiting aid in Gaza
  • Child refugees carry banner onto pitch before UEFA Super Cup clash 

DUBAI: UEFA unfurled a banner with the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the pitch on Wednesday ahead of the UEFA Super Cup showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, Italy.

The message came as a tribute following the death of Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” who was killed by Israeli gunfire while awaiting aid in Gaza earlier this month.

Nine child refugees from Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iraq carried the banner onto the pitch before the game.

The international football community failed to publicly condemn Al-Obeid’s killing at first, but UEFA later posted a tribute without mentioning or explaining the circumstances surrounding his death. 

In a brief post on X, UEFA said the former national team member was “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” 

Egyptian and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah criticized the tribute, saying: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”


Oracle Red Bull Racing signs global partnership deal with Damac

Updated 14 February 2026
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Oracle Red Bull Racing signs global partnership deal with Damac

  • UAE developer’s branding will appear on the RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the driver kit, helmets, and race suits

DUBAI: Oracle Red Bull Racing has signed a global partnership deal with Damac Properties, the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the Middle East.

The Formula 1 racing team is one of the most successful in motorsport history, with a driver lineup that features four-time world champion Max Verstappen alongside rising talent Isack Hadjar.

Damac Properties branding will appear on the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 car’s halo and side pods, as well as the team principle and driver team kit, helmets, and race suits.

Over the years, Damac has partnered with brands that include Roberto Cavalli, Paramount, and Chelsea Football Club.

Speaking about the announcement, Amira Sajwani, managing director of sales and development at Damac Properties, said the developer was proud to partner with Oracle Red Bull Racing.

“Formula 1 represents precision, innovation, and elite performance at the highest level, values that resonate deeply with our brand DNA. I truly believe that no real estate developer in the UAE has built a partnership portfolio as diverse and globally impactful as Damac’s, and this collaboration is a powerful testament to that journey,” Sajwani said.

Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said that the partnership “will open avenues for stronger global engagement and create meaningful impact for both organizations.”

He added: “This partnership reflects our mindset as a business and our vision for the future.” 

Ali Sajwani, managing director of operations, finance and hospitality at Damac, said: “Formula 1 has always been a passion of mine, and I deeply understand both the scale and global influence of this industry. At Damac, we are constantly seeking partnerships that are distinctive, powerful, and aligned with our ambition to be a trendsetter in the market.”

The announcement follows Damac’s global partnership with Chelsea Football Club, unveiled in April 2025, with the developer becoming the club’s front-of-jersey sponsor for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The collaboration also marked the launch of Chelsea Residences by Damac, the world’s first football-branded residential development, located in Dubai.