“Can you tell Us how he died, where and Why ?” Mo Salah Asks UEFA

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mo Salah has publicly criticized UEFA for what he described as an incomplete statement following the death of Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid in Gaza.

Al-Obeid, a former Palestinian national team player nicknamed the “Palestinian Pelé,” was killed in an Israeli strike while civilians were waiting for aid in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football Association (PFA).

UEFA paid tribute to the 41-year-old in a post on X, writing: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pelé’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” However, the tribute made no mention of how he died.

Salah responded directly: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” His post quickly went viral, gaining over 840,000 likes by Saturday night. UEFA has not issued any public follow-up, though the PFA later shared a statement it said came from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, offering condolences and praising Al-Obeid’s dedication to the game.

The PFA said Al-Obeid had scored more than 100 goals during his career and continued to inspire young players in Gaza. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the association reports that 325 members of the Palestinian football community – including players, coaches, referees, and staff – have been killed.

Salah, one of the most high-profile Arab athletes in the world, has previously called for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza, an end to the fighting, and for “massacres” to stop.

According to the United Nations, more than 1,300 people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food since late May, with over 800 deaths occurring near sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an aid group backed by Israel and the US.

Palestine has been a FIFA member since 1998 and has competed in the last three Asian Cups, though it has yet to qualify for the World Cup.