Liverpoolâs Mohamed Salah has criticised Europeâs football governing body UEFA for posting a tribute to âPalestinian Peleâ Suleiman al-Obeid that did not mention that the former international died after being hit by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip.
Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces âtargeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Stripâ, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement.
Europeâs football governing body UEFA posted on X: âFarewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the âPalestinian Peleâ. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.â
Egyptian striker Salah responded by posting: âCan you tell us how he died, where, and why?â
Born in Gaza City, Obeid was married and had five children. He played 24 international matches for the team Palestine.
In October 2023, Salah called on âworld leaders to come togetherâ to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to âprevent further slaughter of innocent soulsâ.
Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamasâs October 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the PFA.
Salah, who was the Premier League top scorer last season, is due to line up for Liverpool on Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley against Crystal Palace, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.
AFP
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