Salah Slams UEFA for Leaving Out Details in Tribute to Palestinian Football Star

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has criticised European football’s governing body, UEFA, for leaving out key details in its tribute to Palestinian football legend Suleiman al-Obeid, who was killed this week in Gaza.

The Palestinian Football Association confirmed on Thursday that Obeid, 41, was killed in an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.

Known as the “Pelé of Palestinian football,” Obeid scored more than 100 goals during his career and represented Palestine in 24 international matches, netting twice.

UEFA posted a message on X on Friday, calling Obeid “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” But Salah, 33, responded on Saturday, urging UEFA to be transparent about the circumstances of Obeid’s death. “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” he wrote.

The tragedy comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, launched after the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 61,300 people have been killed since then, with at least 38 deaths and nearly 500 injuries reported in the past 24 hours alone.

The UN has also warned that hunger is taking a deadly toll, reporting earlier this month that at least 1,373 Palestinians have died while trying to get food since late May.