Salah criticises UEFA for 'Palestinian Pele' tribute: 'Tell us how he died'
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah reacts to their defeat on the pitch after the English League Cup final football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, north-west London on March 16, 2025. Newcastle won the game 2-1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
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Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces "targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip", the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement.
Europe's football governing body UEFA posted on X: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
Egyptian striker Salah responded by posting: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. He played 24 international matches for team Palestine.
In October 2023, Salah called on "world leaders to come together" to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to "prevent further slaughter of innocent souls".
Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA.
Salah, who was the Premier League top scorer last season, is due to line up for Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley against Crystal Palace, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.
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