Mohamed SalahExprmeses Doubts Over UEFA's Homage to Suleiman Al-Obeid, Dubbed 'Palestinian Pele'; Liverpool Forward Queries Decision
Football Star Suleiman al-Obeid Killed in Gaza
Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pelé," was tragically killed on August 6, 2025, in southern Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) reported that al-Obeid was shot by Israeli forces while he was among civilians waiting for humanitarian aid.
Al-Obeid, a 41-year-old former Palestinian international footballer, scored more than 100 goals during his career, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football. He made 24 international appearances and was a member of the Palestine men’s football team since 2007. His most memorable moment came during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation championship, where he scored a scissor-kick goal against Yemen.
The circumstances surrounding his death are troubling. Al-Obeid was among civilians queuing for aid during a period of severe shortages and conflict in Gaza. The PFA described his death as "martyred after the occupation forces targeted those waiting for humanitarian aid."
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian football star, publicly criticized UEFA for a tribute post that omitted the circumstances of al-Obeid's death. Salah used his platform to highlight the humanitarian crisis and call attention to innocents killed while awaiting aid.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that they have no record of the incident involving al-Obeid, requesting more details for investigation. This does not contradict the PFA reports but shows the Israeli military's position on the specific claims.
The death of al-Obeid has taken a significant toll on the local sporting community in Gaza. According to the PFA, at least 662 sportspeople and their relatives have been reportedly killed in Gaza since the conflict began. Moreover, 288 sports facilities have been damaged or reduced to rubble across Gaza and the West Bank.
As the FA Community Shield final approaches, Mohamed Salah will aim to take Liverpool to victory against FA Cup holders Crystal Palace. The final, which serves as the ceremonial curtain-raiser for the 2025-26 Premier League season, will be a challenging match, as Crystal Palace has shown in the last FA Cup final and semi-final how difficult it is to win a one-off game against them. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed that Crystal Palace will be a difficult team to win against in the FA Community Shield final.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has donated to the Egyptian Red Crescent to help fund its relief efforts in the region. Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian support in Gaza and called out the violence there. He has been vocal in his criticism of UEFA for their incomplete tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid, urging them to provide a more comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding his death.
References:
[1] Palestinian Football Association (PFA) [2] Mohamed Salah [3] UEFA [4] Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) [5] Egyptian Red Crescent
- The tragic death of Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pelé," in Gaza on August 6, 2025, has caused a significant impact on the local sports community, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
- Al-Obeid's death was not limited to the sports community, as it occurred amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, where civilians are also experiencing severe shortages of food and humanitarian aid.
- In the wake of the event, Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian football star, pointed out the omission of details about al-Obeid's death in a tribute post by UEFA and raised concerns about the general-news surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- As sports fanatics gear up for the FA Community Shield final, Mohamed Salah will aim to lead Liverpool to victory against Crystal Palace while continuing his advocacy for humanitarian support in the European leagues, specifically Gaza.
