Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has come under fire from Israeli netizens after questioning UEFAs tribute to Palestinian football legend Suleiman al-Obeid, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces while seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza.
UEFA posted on X mourning Obeid, known as the Palestinian Pele, describing him as a talent who gave hope to countless children.
Salah responded with a pointed question: Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?
According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), Obeid, 41, was fatally shot in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, as he queued for aid.
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He played 24 matches for Palestine, scored over 100 career goals with local clubs, and leaves behind a wife and five children.
Israeli settlers and users accused Salah of implying that Israel was responsible for Obeids death, and expressed outrage that he did not issue a similar statement when Israeli footballer Lior Asulin was killed during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks.
Some demanded UEFA post a tribute to Asulin as it did for Obeid.
The backlash comes amid Salahs history of advocating for Gaza; in October 2023, he urged world leaders to ensure humanitarian aid reached civilians to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls.
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Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani responded to Salah on X, claiming no initial records of Obeids death existed and requesting more details.
The PFA says Obeids killing raises the toll of Palestinian athletes lost in the ongoing conflict to 662.
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