Mohamed Salah and international community express anger over UEFA’s silence on Gaza footballer’s killing

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has expressed disappointment over the European football governing body UEFA’s tribute to the late Palestinian football star Suleiman Al-Obeid. Salah criticized UEFA for not mentioning the circumstances or context surrounding Al-Obeid’s killing.

The Palestinian Football Federation stated that 41-year-old Suleiman Al-Obeid was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip.

In a brief post, UEFA described him as “a talented player who inspired hope in countless children during dark times.” However, Salah questioned on social media on Saturday, “Can you tell us how, where, and why he died?”

In an interview, Basil Mikdadi, founder of Football Palestine, said he did not expect any response from UEFA after this criticism. He added that since the beginning of the Gaza war, football organizations and players have remained completely silent.

Mikdadi further noted that UEFA’s tribute to Al-Obeid was “a kind of surprise.” He said, “Suleiman Al-Obeid is not the first Palestinian footballer to be killed in this genocide — over 400 have already lost their lives — but he is the most well-known face so far.”

This incident has sparked discussions in the international sports community as well as attention from human rights and justice organizations. Al-Obeid’s death has revealed a new dimension of suffering among the Palestinian people.