Latest news with #WestAsianFootballFederation
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
How Liverpool's Salah spotlighted the killing of the ‘Palestinian Pelé'
Suleiman al-Obeid was among the most recognizable and beloved figures in Palestinian soccer. The scissors kick he scored against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship became a career-defining moment, while former opponents and soccer officials say he was an inspirational figure in Gaza, where the sport commands a devoted following.
The National
12-08-2025
- Politics
- The National
Israel must be banned from World Cup, says Ross Greer
The MSP has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament urging Fifa and Uefa to suspend Israel after the killing of Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the 'Palestinian Pele'. The talented footballer was killed by an Israeli airstrike while waiting for food in the southern Gaza Strip last week. Greer's motion 'notes with distress the reports that over 400 Palestinian footballers have been killed by Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza since 2023'. READ MORE: Flights cancelled and planes diverted at Scottish airport It adds that Uefa and Fifa must 'suspend Israeli national teams and clubs from all international football competitions, including the world cup, until the occupation of Palestine is ended'. Uefa's reaction to the news of al-Obeid 's death sparked anger, after a 21-word statement failed to mention the circumstances in which he was killed, with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah responding: 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' al-Obeid began his footballing career at Khadamat al-Shati, later playing for Markaz Shabab al-Am'ari in the occupied West Bank and then Gaza Sport. He was capped 24 times for the Palestinian national team after debuting in 2007 and scored twice. Over his career, he scored more than 100 goals, most notably with a scissor kick against Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation championship. READ MORE: £3m rescue deal saves historic hotel following administration According to the Palestine Football Association, Israel has destroyed or damaged 288 sports facilities across Gaza and the West Bank, including stadiums, training grounds and gyms as well as the organisation's headquarters. More than 1300 Palestinians have been killed collecting food from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since its launch in May. Uefa and Fifa were approached for comment.
Irish Examiner
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Mo Salah criticises Uefa over tribute to ‘Palestinian Pelé'
Mohamed Salah has criticised Uefa for failing to state how a footballer known as the Palestinian Pelé died in a tribute it posted. Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday in southern Gaza when Israeli forces attacked civilians waiting for humanitarian aid, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) said. ''Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé', Uefa posted on X on Friday. ''A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.'' Salah replied to Uefa's post on Saturday, saying: 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' The Liverpool player and Egypt star has consistently voiced sympathy for those in Gaza throughout the conflict. Two years ago, he donated to the Egyptian Red Cross to help fund its relief efforts in the region. Can you tell us how he died, where, and why? — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 9, 2025 A fixture in the Palestinian national side after his debut in 2007, Obeid gained 24 caps and scored twice, the PFA said last week, most memorably with a scissor-kick against Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation championship. ''During his long career, al-Obeid, 41, scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football,' it said. His talent on the pitch earned him the nickname of 'the Palestinian Pelé' – a nod to the legendary Brazilian widely hailed as one of the greatest players of all time. Obeid's death added to a growing toll of athletes lost in Gaza since the war began, with at least 662 sportspeople and their relatives reported to have been killed. 'The number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children,' the PFA said. According to the PFA, 288 sports facilities have been damaged or reduced to rubble across Gaza and the West Bank, from stadiums and training grounds to gyms and clubhouses. The vast majority, 268, were in Gaza, while 20 were in the West Bank, with about half serving football directly. Among the sites hit was the PFA's headquarters in Gaza, struck during an Israeli air raid. More than 1,300 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the vicinity of aid distribution points managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since the US and Israeli-backed logistic group's launch in late May. Guardian
Daily Mirror
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mo Salah asks pointed question of UEFA after 'Palestinian Pele' killed by Israeli forces in Gaza
Mo Salah has called out UEFA's response to the death of a Palestinian footballer who was killed following an attack by Israeli forces in southern Gaza Mohamed Salah has asked questions of UEFA after the European governing body paid tribute to a footballer known as the 'Palestinian Pele' following his death. Suleiman al-Obeid was killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football Association (PFA). Obeid was killed on Wednesday after civilians waiting for humanitarian aid were attacked by Israeli forces say the PFA. The 41-year-old was labelled one 'of the brightest stars of Palestinian football' and famously scored a scissor-kick versus Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation championship. The footballer is survived by his wife and children and his family have seen tributes pour in amid the conflict in Gaza. UEFA sent their own condolences. "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'," the body posted on soocial media. "A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times." Liverpool star Salah appeared unimpressed with the scant detail provided by the European federation. The Egyptian quoted UEFA's tribute and quickly highlighted the issues he found with their post. "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" Salah posted on X. Obeid is just one of hundreds of sportspeople to have lost their lives in Gaza. At least 662 athletes and their relatives are reported to have been killed during Israeli assaults. 'The number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children,' the PFA said. The association has also claimed that 288 sports facilities, encompassing stadiums, training grounds, gyms and clubhouses, have been damaged or turned into rubble. The bulk of these have been in Gaza, and 20 in the West Bank. The PFA headquarters is among the sites to have been impacted after it was struck in an Israeli air raid. Salah has previously spoken out on the devastation taking place in the Middle East. "It's not always easy to speak in times like these," he said. "There has been too much violence and too much heartbreaking brutality. The escalation in recent weeks is unbearable to witness. "All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart. What is clear now is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible conditions. "The scenes at the hospital last night were horrifying. The people of Gaza need food, water and medical supplies urgently. I'm calling on the world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of all innocent souls. Humanity must prevail."
Ammon
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Ammon
National Football Team qualifies for World Cup
Ammon News - After defeating their Omani opponent 3-0 on Thursday, the Jordanian national football team made history by earning a spot in the 2026 World Cup. His Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II attended the game in Muscat's Qaboos International Stadium. Her Highness Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, His Highness Prince Hashem bin Abdullah II, Her Highness Princess Iman bint Abdullah II, Her Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, His Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, and President of the Jordan Football Association and President of the West Asian Football Federation. Following victories over Oman and its sister team, Iraq, in a match against South Korea, the national team qualified for the World Cup. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Ali Alwan opened the scoring with a penalty kick, giving the team a hat-trick. Then, in the 51st and 63rd minutes, he added the second and third goals. In the ninth and penultimate round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying round, the national team qualified for the tournament. Yazeed Abu Laila, Yazan Al-Arab, Abdullah Naseeb, Ahmed Assaf, Mohammed Abu Al-Nadi, Ibrahim Saada, Amer Abu Jamous, Muhannad Abu Taha, Yazan Naimat, Musa Al-Taamari, and Ali Alwan were among the players who started for the national team against Oman. In the tenth and last round of the World Cup qualifying round, the national team will play their Iraqi counterpart in Amman International Stadium next Tuesday at 9:15 PM.
