Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has come under fire from Israeli netizens after questioning UEFA’s 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 Obeid’s 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 Salah’s 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 Obeid’s death existed and requesting more details.
The PFA says Obeid’s killing raises the toll of Palestinian athletes lost in the ongoing conflict to 662.
Read some of te comments below:
I’ve lost my respect for you, I go to every home game ever since I was young.
Are the IDF killing Civilians? Yes.
Do I agree with it? No.But what’s not being talked about are the food trucks coming through? Yes.
Are Hams taking the food, selling it for 50x the amount and…
— Montical (@Montical_) August 9, 2025
Oh, you remembered how to talk? pic.twitter.com/jV1NvP1bk5
— יוסי עדני | Yossi Adani (@AdaniYossi) August 9, 2025
If it will turns out it was Hamas who killed him, are you going to condemn them, or will you just delete your post?
— coralDar (@coral_dar20) August 9, 2025
You’re too late… You should have done this 2 year ago. Were you afraid to speak out?
— Aysha (@ayshaahmeds) August 9, 2025
Yes, Hamas killed him? Any other questions you need answering?
— Ms Purple🎗️ (@MsPurpleX) August 11, 2025
Ooooh darling, it took you two years and more than 60 thousands martyr to ask a question ?
— حياة اليماني🦌🇵🇸 (@HaYatElYaMaNi) August 9, 2025
Unfortunately, Your silence about Israel’s crimes killed him.
— صُهيب بن سعيد (@SOHAIB_SAID85) August 11, 2025
FKA/EB
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