Latest news with #Palestinian Football Association
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Mohamed Salah slams UEFA post about the killing of 'Palestinian Pele'
ALBAWABA - Renowned Egyptian footballer and Liverpool player, Mohamed Salah criticized UEFA over its post regarding the killing of "Palestinian Pele," Suleiman Obeid, who was recently shot dead by Israeli forces. At just the age of 41, Obeid was shot dead on August 6 by Israeli forces while awaiting humanitarian aid due to the ongoing famine in Gaza, which has caused the death of over 217 Palestinians, including 100 children. Obeid's killing sparked outrage among human rights and pro-Palestine activists who took to social media to offer their condolences to his family. According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), 325 of its community, including players, coaches, managers, referees, and other staff, have been killed by Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, as reported by CNN. Mohamed Salah slams UEFA post about 'Palestinian Pele' death The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times," without disclosing the reason for his death. Salah responded on the same platform, slamming the organization, "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" His response garnered over a million likes and more than 78 million views. However, UEFA is yet to make a statement regarding the backlash it faced, as many pro-Palestine activists urged the ban of Israel from the joint association. Similar to Mohamed Salah, a pro-Palestine user wrote in the same platform, "MENTION HIS DEATH CAUSE TOO! The one who killed him his is Israel, its a huge shame that you didn't mention that." They added, "Why Israel is still in UEFA? They are child killers, they are terrorists, they are criminals. Russia was banned for not even 0.1% comparing to this. Get Israel out of UEFA. Free Palestine."
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Salah criticises UEFA for 'Palestinian Pele' tribute: 'Tell us how he died'
Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip", the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement. Europe's football governing body UEFA posted on X: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times." Egyptian striker Salah responded by posting: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. He played 24 international matches for team Palestine. In October 2023, Salah called on "world leaders to come together" to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to "prevent further slaughter of innocent souls". Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA. Salah, who was the Premier League top scorer last season, is due to line up for Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley against Crystal Palace, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
'Pele of Palestine' killed by Israeli fire in Gaza aid queue
Gaza's footballer Suleiman Al Obaid has been killed by Israeli fire while waiting for humanitarian aid in Rafah. The Palestinian Football Association said Mr Al Obaid, 41, was queueing for food at an aid distribution centre in southern Gaza on Wednesday when he was fatally shot. Gaza aid queues have become death traps for starving Palestinians. An investigation by The National has revealed a pattern of "systematic killing of Palestinians by the Israeli army and private contractors while attempting to collect aid". More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed while waiting to receive aid, the UN says. At least 850 were in the vicinity of distribution sites run by the US-Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Al Obaid was regarded as one of the most talented attacking midfielders to play in the Gaza Strip League and was nicknamed "Pele of Palestine", after the Brazilian footballer many regard as the greatest of all time. Al Obaid made 19 appearances with the Palestine national team, playing in the Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games and Fifa World Cup qualifiers after making his debut against Iraq in the West Asia Championship in 2007. He scored two goals in his international career: the first against Yemen in 2010 and the second in a friendly against Indonesia the following year. His last appearance for Palestine was against Qatar in 2013. Al Obaid also played for clubs such as Khidmat Al Shatia, Shabab Al Amari and Gaza Sport, in various positions including centre forward, right winger and right midfielder. Nearly 800 Palestinian athletes and sports officials in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been killed by Israel since October 2023, the Palestinian Football Association says. Among the death toll were players and administrative staff from various sports, with the vast majority killed in Gaza, said Susan Shalabi, deputy head of the association. At least 437 of those killed were footballers, she added.
