Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has questioned UEFA following their online tribute to the death of late Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, after they failed to acknowledge he was killed by Israeli forces.
According to a statement from the Palestine Football Association (via Telegraph), Obeid – affectionately known as the 'Palestinian Pele' – was 'killed in an Israeli attack' after they opened fire on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid last Wednesday. They added:
‘‘During his long career, al-Obeid, 41, scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football. The number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children.”
The statement also noted that armed Israeli personnel “targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip.”
UEFA posted a tribute to the player through their social media channels, writing: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
Salah and Lineker Among Those to Question UEFA
Mohamed Salah-1
The post has been viewed over 42 million times on X, but has picked up a lot of negative reactions due to the failure to acknowledge the reason for Obeid's death.
Salah is perhaps the most notable critic, as he used his personal social media account to question UEFA's reporting. He wrote: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has also weighed in with criticism, as he shared an image of the Palestinian on his Instagram page, and wrote:
"We can't hear you UEFA."
It's not the first time Salah has spoken out on the conflict. In October 2023, he wrote: “The escalations in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop, families are being torn apart.”
He has also contributed large financial donations towards the aid effort in Gaza.
Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and left behind his wife and five children. He played 24 international matches for Palestine, scoring twice, and also played for Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza and the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
UEFA are yet to comment on Salah's or anyone else's criticism of their post.