Mo Salah urges UEFA to explain Suleiman al Obeid tribute
Liverpool forward Mo Salah has called on UEFA to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of former Palestine international Suleiman al Obeid, a player once affectionately referred to as the 'Palestinian Pele'.
UEFA paid tribute to al Obeid in a short social media post on Friday, praising him as 'a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times'. The post came two days after the Palestine Football Association (PFA) announced that the 41-year-old had died in the southern Gaza Strip.
According to the PFA, al Obeid was killed by what it described as an Israeli airstrike while waiting for humanitarian aid. The governing body also noted his significant impact on Palestinian football, highlighting a career that spanned both Gaza and the West Bank.
Salah calls for clarity
Salah responded publicly to UEFA's message, writing on X: 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?'
His comment drew attention to what he sees as an omission in UEFA's public acknowledgement. While the European governing body confirmed to Sky Sports that it will not be making further comment, Salah's intervention has reignited debate over football's response to humanitarian crises.
The Egypt captain, widely regarded as one of the most prominent Arab athletes in the world, has previously used his platform to advocate for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Photo IMAGO
Humanitarian context
The United Nations reports that since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in late May, over 1,000 people have died near aid distribution points and convoys. The initiative, backed by the US and Israel, was intended to improve access to food and essential supplies in the region.
Al Obeid's death comes against this backdrop of worsening humanitarian conditions. The PFA's statement confirmed that he leaves behind a wife, two sons and three daughters. Born in Gaza City, he played for several clubs across Palestine, becoming a symbol of resilience for many young players in the region.
Legacy of Suleiman al Obeid
Al Obeid's career, characterised by both talent and perseverance, saw him inspire not only his teammates but also generations of aspiring footballers. His journey, from local pitches in Gaza to representing his country at the highest level, made him a figure of hope for Palestinian sport.
For Salah, the circumstances of al Obeid's death deserve full acknowledgement. His call for transparency has resonated across football, highlighting the sport's ongoing struggle to reconcile on-pitch achievement with off-pitch realities in conflict zones.
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