Mohammad Salah blasts UEFA for silence on Gaza after footballer death

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is facing sharp criticism after a social media tribute to a killed Palestinian footballer, Suleiman al-Obeid, was perceived as intentionally omitting the circumstances of his death.

The post, which honored al-Obeid as "the 'Palestinian Pelé'," was immediately challenged by global football star Mohamed Salah, who publicly demanded details about the athlete’s death.

Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'.

A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times. pic.twitter.com/wGSXCq2ceo

— UEFA (@UEFA) August 8, 2025

On a Friday, UEFA's official account on the social media platform X posted a tribute celebrating al-Obeid as "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times".

The post, however, provided no details about the cause of his death. This stood in stark contrast to a statement from the Palestine Football Association (PFA), which said the 41-year-old was killed on a Wednesday in southern Gaza by an "Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid".

Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah responded to UEFA’s post by quote-tweeting: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"

Can you tell us how he died, where, and why? https://t.co/W7HCyVVtBE

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 9, 2025

The incident has highlighted a long-standing critique of UEFA's policy of avoiding political statements in football.

Human rights groups have accused the organization of "dangerous double standards," noting its swift decision to suspend most Russian teams after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine while its Secretary General, Theodore Theodoridis, has refused to consider similar action against “Israeli” teams.

The PFA has also reported that al-Obeid’s death is part of a broader toll on Palestinian sports, with at least 662 athletes and their relatives, including 421 footballers, killed since the conflict began.