Mohamed Salah Slams UEFA Over Tribute to ‘Palestinian Pele’ Suleiman al-Obeid

 

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for posting a tribute to late Palestinian football legend Suleiman al-Obeid without mentioning that he died after being hit by Israeli gunfire in Gaza.

Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces reportedly targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).

UEFA had written on X:

“Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”

Responding to the post, Salah wrote:

“Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”

Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married with five children and represented Palestine in 24 international matches.

This is not the first time the Egyptian forward has spoken out on the crisis — in October 2023, he urged world leaders to unite to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and prevent further loss of innocent lives.

According to the PFA, since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community.

Salah, last season’s Premier League top scorer, is set to feature for Liverpool in the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday.