UEFA Honors Salah with Comparison to "Palestinian Pele," prompting queries from the player
In the southern Gaza Strip, a tragic incident unfolded as civilians waited for aid. Suleiman al-Obeid, a renowned figure in Palestinian football, was shot by Israeli forces [1]. This incident has sparked a wave of concern and condemnation from the football community, with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, one of the best-known Arab soccer players, calling for details about Suleiman's death.
Suleiman al-Obeid, affectionately known as the Palestinian Pele, was a 41-year-old footballer who played 24 international matches for Palestine and scored twice, including a stunning scissors kick goal [2]. His untimely death during a humanitarian aid distribution has left a void in the Palestinian football community, and beyond.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, posted a tribute to Suleiman, calling him a source of hope and a loss to the world of football. However, Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for not disclosing the circumstances surrounding Suleiman's death [3]. The specifics of UEFA's tribute and statement regarding Suleiman's death are not currently available.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza continues to take a heavy toll on the community. According to the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), 325 people in the Palestinian football community have died since October 2023 [4]. Mohamed Salah has been a vocal advocate for increased humanitarian access into Gaza, urging world leaders to prevent further suffering [5].
Elsewhere in the football world, emotions ran high as well. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave an emotional speech about Gaza during a ceremony honoring him by the University of Manchester. Guardiola expressed his pain and urged care for neighbours, particularly those in Gaza [6].
In a separate development, Anwar El Ghazi, a Dutch winger, was dismissed from Bundesliga club Mainz over social media posts related to the conflict. However, a court ruling later allowed his working relationship with the club to continue [7].
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the stories of individuals like Suleiman al-Obeid serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict. The football community's outpouring of support and calls for action underscore the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and a resolution to the conflict.
[1] Suleiman al-Obeid was shot by Israeli forces while civilians were waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip. [2] Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the Palestinian Pele, played 24 international matches for Palestine and scored twice, including a dazzling scissors kick goal. [3] Mohamed Salah, a Liverpool forward and one of the best-known Arab soccer players, criticized UEFA for not disclosing how Suleiman al-Obeid died. [4] The PFA reports that 325 people in the Palestinian football community have died in the conflict since October 2023. [5] Mohamed Salah has repeatedly called for increased humanitarian access into Gaza. [6] Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave an emotional speech about Gaza, expressing his pain and urging care for neighbors. [7] The court ruling concerning Anwar El Ghazi's dismissal from Mainz did not immediately halt his working relationship with the club.
- The tragic shooting of Suleiman al-Obeid, affectionately known as the Palestinian Pele, by Israeli forces has sparked a wave of concern and condemnation not only within the Palestinian football community, but also globally.
- Suleiman al-Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine, scoring twice, including a stunning scissors kick goal, which has left a significant void in the football world.
- UEFA, the governing body of European football, posted a tribute for Suleiman al-Obeid, calling him a source of hope and a loss to the world of football, but Mohamed Salah criticized UEFA for not disclosing the circumstances surrounding his death.
- Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to take a heavy toll on the community, according to the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), as 325 people in the Palestinian football community have died since October 2023.
- Mohamed Salah, a prominent Arab soccer player and Liverpool forward, has continually advocated for increased humanitarian access into Gaza, urging world leaders to prevent further suffering.
- Amidst the backdrop of the conflict in Gaza, the world of football has demonstrated solidarity, with figures such as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressing their empathy for the victims of the conflict, while Anwar El Ghazi faced consequences for his social media posts relating to the ongoing situation.
