Mohamed Salah, one of soccer’s biggest stars, criticized the sport’s governing body in Europe over its tribute to Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Pelé of Palestinian football,” which failed to mention how he died last week.
Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday as he was seeking humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
“Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the Palestinian Pelé,” the Union of European Football Associations said Friday in a post on X. “A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
“Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Salah, a forward for the Premier League club Liverpool and captain of the Egyptian national team, said in response.
UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
Salah, 33, has been a vocal advocate for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, which the United Nations and other international experts say is on the brink of famine 22 months into Israel’s war with Hamas, which controls the enclave of about 2 million people.
Finding food has become more difficult and deadly for Palestinians since late May, when the American and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation took over the distribution of aid after Israel lifted a two-and-half-month blockade.
About 1,400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food aid, mostly at the hands of the Israeli military, the U.N. says. The Israeli military says it does not target civilians.
Salah is not the only soccer star to speak out about the circumstances of al-Obeid’s death.
Eric Cantona, a former professional soccer player from France who was a forward for Manchester United, posted a tribute on Instagram alongside a photo of al-Obeid, asking, “HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM COMMIT THIS GENOCIDE???”
Israel insists that it is fighting an existential war and rejects genocide allegations as antisemitic.
On Saturday, the PFA shared a statement attributed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, praising al-Obeid for giving “talent and dedication to the children of Gaza” and giving their dreams “hope to blossom despite the suffering.”
Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals over his long career, including two for the Palestinian national team, “making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football,” the PFA said.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
The PFA said on X Saturday that 325 players, coaches, administrators, referees and club board members from the Palestinian soccer community had died in the conflict.
More than 61,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including thousands of children, according to the local health ministry, while much of the territory lies in ruins.
Israel launched its offensive after the terrorist attack of Oct. 7, 2023, during which Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage. Of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, Israel believes about 20 are still alive.
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