Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for leaving out the circumstances of Suleiman al Obeid’s death in its online tribute to the former Palestinian international.
Obeid, known as the Palestinian Pele, died on Wednesday in the southern Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Football Association, the 41 year old was among a group of people targeted by Israeli forces while they were waiting for humanitarian aid.
UEFA posted its condolences on X, calling Obeid a talent who gave hope to countless children even in the darkest of times, but made no mention of how he died.
Salah, who captains Egypt’s national team, reposted UEFA’s message with the pointed question: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why”
Born in Gaza City, Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine and was regarded as one of the country’s most talented players. He was married and had five children.
The Palestinian Football Association says that since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, which followed the Hamas attack on Israel, at least 662 people from the sport and scouting community have been killed. This includes 321 from the football sector.
This is not the first time Salah has spoken publicly about the conflict. In October 2023 he urged world leaders to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Salah, who finished as the Premier League’s top scorer last season, is set to play for Liverpool in the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday, the traditional opener to the English football season.
