Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for a social media tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid that omitted details of the circumstances of his death.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) reported on Thursday that Obeid, 41, was killed in an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza the day before. Nicknamed the “Pele of Palestinian football,” Obeid scored over 100 career goals, including two in 24 appearances for the national team.
On Friday, 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.”
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The next day, Salah, 33, responded: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. Since then, more than 61,300 people have been killed in Gaza, according to local authorities.
The UN recently reported that at least 1,373 Palestinians have died while seeking food since late May, when a new US- and Israeli-backed body, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating aid distribution sites.
Salah has previously urged for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and called on world leaders to act to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
