Did Mohamed Salah's tweet change the UEFA's stance on Gaza?
This comes just days after Mohamed Salah, the star player for Egypt and Liverpool, questioned the continental federation regarding the death of former Palestine national team player, Suleiman Al-Obeid.
The UEFA had previously offered its condolences for the veteran Palestinian player, Al-Obeid, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip a few days ago.
In response, Mohamed Salah posed three questions to the UEFA, putting the organization in an awkward position globally.
He questioned the circumstances of Al-Obeid's death—who was often called the 'Pelé of Palestine'—and criticized the UEFA's failure to reveal the details of his killing, especially since he was reportedly waiting for aid at the time of his death.
On its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the UEFA had posted, 'Goodbye Suleiman Al-Obeid, the Pelé of Palestine, a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.'
Mohamed Salah reposted this and asked: 'Can you tell us how, where, and why he died?'
Mohamed Salah's tweet make headlines
Renowned English journalist Henry Winter believes that UEFA's new initiative to support children in Gaza is a direct, albeit indirect, response to Salah's message, Youm7 reported.
On his official X account, Winter wrote: 'Salah's impact? After Mohamed Salah's tweet criticizing the UEFA's limited statement on the Palestinian player's death, the UEFA announced a partnership with charities providing vital humanitarian aid to Gaza children.'
The news of Al-Obeid's death, who had played 24 matches for the Palestinian national team, shocked the sports community as he was one of the most prominent Palestinian football stars in history.
Salah's public comments sparked a massive reaction among football fans and international media outlets.
Fans and many European newspapers saw Salah's tweet as an embarrassment to the UEFA, which had only offered condolences without mentioning the circumstances of his death or who was responsible.
Supporters in Egypt and from Liverpool praised Salah's courage in raising these questions, which highlighted the Palestinian issue and the suffering of civilians, including athletes.
Some saw the Egyptian star's stance as highlighting the contradiction in the positions of international sports institutions, which are quick to condemn certain issues while remaining silent on others.
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Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Egypt Independent
Did Mohamed Salah's tweet change the UEFA's stance on Gaza?
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced partnerships with several international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to children in the Gaza Strip. This comes just days after Mohamed Salah, the star player for Egypt and Liverpool, questioned the continental federation regarding the death of former Palestine national team player, Suleiman Al-Obeid. The UEFA had previously offered its condolences for the veteran Palestinian player, Al-Obeid, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip a few days ago. In response, Mohamed Salah posed three questions to the UEFA, putting the organization in an awkward position globally. He questioned the circumstances of Al-Obeid's death—who was often called the 'Pelé of Palestine'—and criticized the UEFA's failure to reveal the details of his killing, especially since he was reportedly waiting for aid at the time of his death. On its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the UEFA had posted, 'Goodbye Suleiman Al-Obeid, the Pelé of Palestine, a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.' Mohamed Salah reposted this and asked: 'Can you tell us how, where, and why he died?' Mohamed Salah's tweet make headlines Renowned English journalist Henry Winter believes that UEFA's new initiative to support children in Gaza is a direct, albeit indirect, response to Salah's message, Youm7 reported. On his official X account, Winter wrote: 'Salah's impact? After Mohamed Salah's tweet criticizing the UEFA's limited statement on the Palestinian player's death, the UEFA announced a partnership with charities providing vital humanitarian aid to Gaza children.' The news of Al-Obeid's death, who had played 24 matches for the Palestinian national team, shocked the sports community as he was one of the most prominent Palestinian football stars in history. Salah's public comments sparked a massive reaction among football fans and international media outlets. Fans and many European newspapers saw Salah's tweet as an embarrassment to the UEFA, which had only offered condolences without mentioning the circumstances of his death or who was responsible. Supporters in Egypt and from Liverpool praised Salah's courage in raising these questions, which highlighted the Palestinian issue and the suffering of civilians, including athletes. Some saw the Egyptian star's stance as highlighting the contradiction in the positions of international sports institutions, which are quick to condemn certain issues while remaining silent on others.
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