Suleiman al-Obeid, the revered former Palestine national football team forward known as the “Pelé of Palestine,” was killed on Wednesday in what Palestinian officials and witnesses describe as a deliberate Israeli airstrike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.
According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), Al-Obeid was queuing for food to feed his five children when the strike hit, killing him and several others on the spot. His death adds to the grim toll of more than 400 Palestinian footballers and sports personnel killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, alongside the destruction of hundreds of sports facilities in Gaza.
Internationally admired for his skill, scoring over 100 goals in a career spanning two decades, Al-Obeid had been a symbol of pride for Palestinian sport. His famous scissor-kick goal against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Championship is still fondly remembered by fans.
Yet despite his stature, reaction from the global football community has been muted. UEFA, the governing body for European football, posted a brief condolence message on X (formerly Twitter) that made no mention of the circumstances of his death, omitting any reference to Israel’s responsibility. This omission drew fierce criticism online, with many accusing UEFA of whitewashing the killing and ignoring two years of continued membership for Israel despite repeated calls for sanctions.
One widely-shared comment accused UEFA of being “complicit in genocide,” condemning their failure to acknowledge “how he died, who was responsible” and highlighting their long-standing silence on the killings of Palestinian athletes. Another pointedly observed that UEFA’s statement treated the killing “as if it were some natural death,” erasing the violence of the act.
French football legend Eric Cantona was among the few high-profile figures to speak out unambiguously. On Instagram, he wrote:
“He was named ‘The Pelé of Palestine.’ HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM COMMIT THIS GENOCIDE??? FREE PALESTINE.”
As Gaza continues to suffer under bombardment and siege, Al-Obeid’s death is being mourned not only as the loss of a gifted athlete, but also as another emblem of the destruction of Palestinian culture and identity under war. The absence of strong, united calls from the international football establishment for justice stands in stark contrast to the outspoken condemnations seen in other global tragedies, leaving many to question the sport’s moral authority.
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