Liverpool: Liverpools Mohamed Salah has called out Europes football governing body UEFA for publishing a tribute to "Palestinian Pele" Suleiman al-Obeid that neglected to mention the circumstances of the players death after he was struck by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip. Liverpools Mohamed Salah has criticised Europes football governing body UEFA for posting a tribute to "Palestinian Pele" Suleiman al-Obeid that did not mention the former international died after being hit by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip.
According to France24.com, Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip", the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement.
Europes football governing body UEFA posted on X: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the Palestinian Pele. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA.
Salah, who was the Premier League top scorer last season, is due to line up for Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley against Crystal Palace, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.