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.
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Chinese Ambassador issues stern message to India regarding Trump's tariffs in midst of escalating trade feuds
- Unveiling the potential template for authoritarian leaders in Togo's controversial constitutional switchover.
- Potential Consequences Following the Baku-Yerevan Joint Declaration Signing in Washington
