UEFA Failed to Mention How Obeid Died – Salah
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has criticised Uefa for a tribute it posted on social media to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, saying it failed to mention the circumstances of his death.
On Thursday August 7th 2025, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) announced that Obeid was killed in an Israeli strike while waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip the day before.
Obeid, 41, was celebrated as the “Pele of Palestinian football” for his skills and achievements. According to the PFA, he scored over 100 goals during his career, including two goals in 24 appearances for the national team.
On Friday, Uefa posted a short tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’.”
“A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
On Saturday, Egypt international Salah, 33, responded with, external: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
BBC Sport has contacted Uefa for comment.
Israel began its military offensive in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Since then, more than 61,300 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations.
At least 38 people have also been killed and 491 injured as a result of Israeli military activity over the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry said on Saturday.
The UN reported earlier this month that 1,373 Palestinians have been killed seeking food since late May, when a new US and Israeli-backed organisation Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) set up aid distribution sites.
Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and called for “world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls” amid the conflict.
Source: BBC Sport
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