Mo Salah calls out UEFA after death of 'Palestinian Pele' amid ongoing conflict with Israel

The Liverpool winger quoted a tribute to the 'Palestinian Pelé' posted by UEFA's official account on X. Their original message read: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times." 

Salah's post in response read: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" 

Obeid was killed on August 6 while waiting to collect humanitarian aid in Gaza, according to a statement by the Palestinian Football Association. 

Obeid was born in Gaza in 1984, and made his debut for the Palestinian national team in 2007. A forward and winger, he played 19 times for his country, scoring twice. He played for Khadamat Al-Shatea, Markaz Shabab Al-Amari, and Gaza Sport. 

In a statement, the Palestinian Football Association said: “Suleiman Al-Obaid, a former Palestine national team player, was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.

“During his long career, Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football."

Salah has previously spoken out on the war. On October 18 2023, eleven days into the escalation of this ongoing conflict, he called for the "massacres" in Gaza to end. The 33-year-old also added: "It's not always easy to speak in times like this, there has been too much violence and too much heartbreaking brutality... All lives are sacred and must be protected."