UN Rapporteur Albanese urges UEFA to expel Israel from its competitions
"Time to expel its killers from competitions, UEFA," Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, posted on X.
"Let's make sport apartheid and genocide free. One ball, one kick at a time," she added.
Albanese's call came after the killing of former Palestine international Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid," killing the retired Palestinian footballer.
Francesca Albanese is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's war of extermination and starvation in the Gaza Strip. She has faced sanctions from both the United States and Israel, yet remains steadfast in her principled stance in support of the Palestinian people and in calling for an end to the Israeli occupation.
Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. He played 24 international matches for Palestine's team.
His death added to the mounting toll of sports figures and civilians killed amidst the ongoing genocidal Israeli war on Gaza.
Liverpool Egyptian international star Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for posting a tribute to al-Obeid that did not mention the former international died after being hit by Israeli gunfire in Gaza.
UEFA on Friday issued a brief message on X, paying homage to al-Obeid, with a statement that read: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
However, Salah found the tribute insufficient, with the Liverpool forward responding publicly, questioning, "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
Salah then shared a screenshot of UEFA's post on his Instagram account, with over 65 million followers, escalating the pressure on international sports bodies to clarify the circumstances of al-Obeid's death.
Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, Israel's army has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, including 662 people from the sport and scouting sector — 321 of them from the football community — according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
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