Mohammed Salah calls UEFA out 

Mohamed Salah, the football superstar, criticized UEFA on Saturday 9th August for its lack of response to the death in Gaza of Palestinian footballer Suleiman El-Obeid.

The Egyptian Liverpool player, who is the highest-profile Arab in the game and the most-recognised Arab player, pointedly stated that the post from UEFA didn’t refer to the circumstances of Al-Obeid’s demise.

Al-Obeid who played for the Palestinian national football team during his playing career was killed when an Israeli attack targeted civilians in southern Gaza waiting for assistance, according to Palestine Football Association (PFA).

‘Can you tell us how he died?’

“Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pelé’,” UEFA posted On X, Friday. “A talented person who brought hope to many children in dark times.”

Salah responded The post was made on Saturday. “Can you tell me how, where and why he died?” His comment quickly went viral online. By Saturday night, it had more than 840,000 “likes”.

The Liverpool star and Egypt-based player has expressed his sympathy for Gazans throughout the entire conflict. He donated money to the Egyptian Red Crescent two years ago to fund relief efforts in Gaza.

More than 100 Goals

‘‘During his long career, al-Obeid, 41, scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football,” it said.

His talent on the pitch earned him the nickname of “the Palestinian Pelé” – a nod to the legendary Brazilian widely hailed as one of the greatest players of all time.

Obeid’s demise added to the growing number of athletes who have lost their lives in Gaza since it began. At least 662 sportpeople and relatives were reported to be dead.

The PFA reported that “the number of footballers who have died or starved to death has reached 421, which includes 103 children.”

The Guardian reports that more than 1,300 Palestinians have died in the area of the aid distribution points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a logistic group backed by Israel and the US.