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Soccer-'Tell us how he died': Salah criticises UEFA tribute to 'Palestinian Pele'

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on August 9, 2025

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· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Soccer-'Tell us how he died': Salah criticises UEFA tribute to 'Palestinian Pele'
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(Reuters) -Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on Saturday criticised UEFA's tribute to the late Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," after European soccer's governing body failed to

Salah Questions UEFA's Tribute to 'Palestinian Pele' After Tragic Death

(Reuters) -Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on Saturday criticised UEFA's tribute to the late Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," after European soccer's governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his death this week.

The Palestine Football Association said that Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

In a brief post on the social media platform X, UEFA called the former national team member "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."

Salah responded: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"

UEFA was not immediately avialable to comment.

One of the Premier League's biggest stars, the 33-year-old Egyptian Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza in the nearly two-year-old war.

The United Nations says more than 1,000 people have been killed near aid distribution sites and aid convoys in Gaza since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S. and Israel-backed aid distribution system, in late May.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Key Takeaways

  • Mohamed Salah criticizes UEFA's tribute to Suleiman Al-Obeid.
  • Al-Obeid was reportedly killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza.
  • Salah calls for transparency on the circumstances of Al-Obeid's death.
  • UEFA's tribute omitted details on Al-Obeid's death.
  • The conflict in Gaza continues to impact humanitarian efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who criticized UEFA's tribute to Suleiman Al-Obeid?
Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward, criticized UEFA's tribute.
How did Suleiman Al-Obeid die?
Suleiman Al-Obeid was killed by an Israeli strike targeting civilians in the southern Gaza Strip.
What did UEFA say about Suleiman Al-Obeid?
UEFA described Al-Obeid as 'a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.'
What has Salah advocated for regarding Gaza?
Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
What does the United Nations report about casualties in Gaza?
The United Nations reports that over 1,000 people have been killed near aid distribution sites in Gaza since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

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