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Salah Confronts UEFA Over Vague Tribute to Palestinian Footballer

Salah’s call to explain the circumstances of Suleiman al-Obeid’s death prompted the Israel Defense Forces to request more information.

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Doaa, the widow of late soccer player Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," who was killed by an Israeli strike targeting people waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Palestine Football Association, shows a picture of him on a mobile phone inside their tent in Gaza City August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj
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Doaa, the widow of late soccer player Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," who was killed by an Israeli strike targeting people waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Palestine Football Association, looks at his picture while holding his shorts, as her son sits beside her inside their tent in Gaza City August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj

Overview

  • On August 9, Mohamed Salah challenged UEFA’s tribute to “the Palestinian Pelé,” asking for details on how, where and why Suleiman al-Obeid died.
  • The Palestine Football Association says al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli strike while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza on August 6.
  • UEFA has not amended its initial post, which praised al-Obeid’s legacy without mentioning the cause of his death.
  • Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military has no records of the incident and has asked for further details.
  • Humanitarian and sports organizations are pressing UEFA and the IDF for full transparency on civilian casualties at Gaza aid distribution sites.