UEFA's homage to the 'Palestinian Pele' draws adverse comments from Salah
The ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict has taken a tragic turn with the death of Suleiman Al-Obeid, a former member of the Palestine national soccer team and a beloved figure in the region, known as the "Palestinian Pelé."
Al-Obeid was killed on August 7, 2025, while civilians were waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip. The incident occurred near an aid distribution site, adding to the over 1,000 lives lost near such sites and aid convoys since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in late May.
The United Nations has reported that the conflict has pushed the Gaza enclave to the brink of famine, displacing most of its 2.3 million population. The Israeli-Hamas conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool forward, has criticised UEFA's tribute to Al-Obeid, stating that it did not reference the circumstances surrounding his death. He also questioned how, where, and why Al-Obeid died. UEFA, however, has not yet responded to Salah's queries.
The Professional Football Association (PFA) described Al-Obeid as a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognizes the power of sport to unite people. The PFA stated that 325 individuals in the Palestinian soccer community have died during the Israeli-Hamas conflict since October 2023.
Salah has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US and Israel-backed aid distribution system, was launched in late May to address the crisis.
The Israeli-Hamas conflict has resulted in the displacement of most of the Gaza population and has leveled entire neighborhoods, according to the United Nations. The conflict continues to claim lives and disrupt the lives of millions in the region.
[1] Source: BBC News, "Suleiman Al-Obeid: Palestinian footballer killed in Gaza Strip," August 7, 2025.
- The tragic death of Suleiman Al-Obeid, a former member of the Palestine national soccer team, has sparked discussions in the realm of general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts, particularly in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.
- In light of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, the European leagues and football community, including Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, have expressed their views on humanitarian aid, politics, and the impact of the conflict on sports.
- The ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, which has led to the loss of over 2,300 lives and displacement of most of the Gaza population, has been a significant topic in sports news, specifically in relation to the impact on football players like Suleiman Al-Obeid and the Palestinian soccer community.
