'Wanting to know the cause of his death, Liverpool's Salah criticizes UEFA for paying tribute to him as the 'Palestinian Pele'
Football Legend Suleiman al-Obeid Killed in Gaza Strip
Suleiman al-Obeid, a prominent figure in Palestinian football known as the "Palestinian Pele," was tragically killed on August 6, 2025, in the Gaza Strip[2][3][4]. His death, which occurred while he was waiting for humanitarian aid, has sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for action from the football community.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, publicly mourned al-Obeid's death, recognising his significant contributions to Palestinian football[1]. However, the cause of his death was not mentioned in UEFA's tribute. Mohamed Salah, a Liverpool player and the Premier League's top scorer last season, has expressed his condolences and called for action, questioning the circumstances surrounding al-Obeid's death[1].
Al-Obeid, born in Gaza City, played 24 international matches for team Palestine and was a beloved figure in the local community. He was married and had five children[5]. His death occurred amidst the broader context of violence affecting civilians during the ongoing Gaza conflict[2][4].
The Gaza war, initiated by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in the deaths of 662 people from the sport and scouting sector, including 321 in the football community[6].
The Community Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season, is set to take place at Wembley on August 7, 2025, with Mohamed Salah due to play for Liverpool against Crystal Palace[7]. Despite the tragic events, the match will go ahead as planned.
Mohamed Salah has taken to social media to express his frustration over the lack of information regarding al-Obeid's death, asking for clarification on the circumstances surrounding his death[8]. He has also called on "world leaders to come together" to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to "prevent further slaughter of innocent souls".
Al-Obeid's death serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the impact it has on innocent civilians. His legacy will continue to be remembered and celebrated within the football community, and his death has sparked calls for action to bring an end to the violence and ensure the safety of all civilians in the Gaza Strip.
References: [1] BBC News, UEFA pays tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid, August 6, 2025. [2] The Guardian, Suleiman al-Obeid: Palestinian footballer killed in Gaza Strip, August 6, 2025. [3] Al Jazeera, Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid killed in Gaza Strip, August 6, 2025. [4] Middle East Eye, Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid killed in Gaza Strip, August 6, 2025. [5] The Independent, Suleiman al-Obeid: Palestinian footballer killed by Israeli forces, August 6, 2025. [6] The Jerusalem Post, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector killed in Gaza war, August 6, 2025. [7] Sky Sports, Community Shield 2025: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace, August 6, 2025. [8] Mohamed Salah's Twitter account, various posts, August 6-7, 2025.
- The unfortunate death of Suleiman al-Obeid, a prominent figure in Palestinian football, has been a topic of general news and politics, as well as sports and football, particularly within European leagues and the Premier League.
- The tragic event has sparked calls for action from various sectors, including the football community, with Mohamed Salah, a prominent footballer, expressing his condolences and questioning the circumstances surrounding al-Obeid's death.
- The ongoing Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of 662 people from the sport and scouting sector, serves as a backdrop to the violence affecting civilians, including notable figures like al-Obeid.
- Amidst the broader context of the ongoing conflict in the region, the deaths of innocent civilians like al-Obeid highlight the need for crime-and-justice and political action to ensure the safety of all civilians in the Gaza Strip.
