Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has publicly questioned Uefa's memorial post for Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, demanding transparency about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Uefa had published a brief memorial on Friday honouring al-Obeid, referring to him as "the Palestinian Pele" and describing him as "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
The 41-year-old striker died earlier this week when Israeli military personnel opened fire on civilians queuing for humanitarian supplies in southern Gaza, as reported by the Palestine Football Association.
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Israeli authorities have acknowledged discharging warning shots at individuals approaching their forces but have rejected claims of targeting aid recipients.
Mohamed Salah has taken to social media to voice his displeasure with UEFA
|Reuters
The Egyptian international responded to the European football governing body's tribute on social media platform X, asking directly: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
However, the organisation's post made no reference to the manner of al-Obeid's death.
Al-Obeid earned recognition as a prominent figure in Palestinian football, representing his nation in 24 international matches and scoring twice during his career.
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His death contributes to an extensive toll of sporting casualties in the Gaza conflict, with reporting from The Guardian indicating that more than 660 athletes and their family members have lost their lives since hostilities commenced.
The footballer leaves a widow and three children.
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Can you tell us how he died, where, and why? https://t.co/W7HCyVVtBE
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 9, 2025
UEFA's social media tribute stated: "Farewell to Suleiman Al-Obeid, the Palestinian Pele. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
The post contained no details about the circumstances that led to the footballer's death in Gaza.
The Egyptian forward's intervention highlighted the contrast between Uefa's sanitised remembrance and the brutal reality of al-Obeid's death whilst awaiting humanitarian assistance, as documented by Palestinian football authorities.
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Al-Obeid began his footballing journey with Gaza-based Khadamat al-Shati's youth academy in 2005, later moving to Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari in the West Bank.
He returned to Khadamat al-Shati for additional periods and competed for Gaza Sport from 2014 to 2016.
The Liverpool winger has been very vocal in his support of Gaza
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Salah has consistently voiced concern for Gaza's population throughout the ongoing hostilities, contributing funds to the Egyptian Red Cross two years ago to assist their humanitarian operations in the territory.
The Liverpool player previously urged global leaders to "prevent further slaughter of all innocent souls" and demanded urgent humanitarian access to Gaza, describing the violence as "unbearable to witness" and calling for immediate provision of food, water and medical supplies.