Salah questions UEFA over how footballer Suleiman, known as the ‘Palestinian Pele’, died
Footballer Suleiman Al-Obai, known as the ‘Palestinian Pele’, was killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza while waiting for food aid in Gaza. Recently, UEFA (European football’s governing body) paid tribute to Suleiman. However, Liverpool Egyptian star Mohamed Salah questioned the organisation online for not clarifying the cause of Al-Obaid’s death on social media and not mentioning the role of the Israeli army. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) made a post on the X handle expressing condolences and respect for Obaid’s death. The Palestinian footballer was called a genius there. It is said that Obaid has shown hope to countless children even in dark times. However, the topic of the Israeli attack was avoided. And this angered Egyptian star footballer and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. Sharing UEFA’s post on his X handle, Salah questioned how, where and why Obeid died. However, UEFA authorities did not agree to comment despite various media outlets contacting him on the issue. The 41-year-old Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals in his long career, making him one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football. Born in Gaza on March 24, 1984, Obeid began his football career with the Khadamat Al-Shati club. He later played for Markaz Shabab Al-Am’ri and Gaza Sport Club in the occupied West Bank. He was a regular member of the Palestinian team after making his national team debut in 2007. According to the Palestinian Football Federation, he played 24 times for the national team and scored two goals, the most memorable of which was a ‘scissor-kick’ goal against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship. Asal Rad Xey, a Middle East historian and Dawn research assistant, wrote, “Saying goodbye seems to imply that Suleiman died of old age or natural causes. In fact, he was killed by Israeli forces.” According to the Palestinian Football Federation, 321 members of the football community were killed in the Israeli attack.
