Craig Foster and Mohamed Salah Criticize UEFA's Tribute to Prominent Palestinian Footballer

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Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has joined others in critiquing UEFA, Europe’s football authority, following the passing of Palestinian athlete Suleiman al-Obeid in Gaza.

In an Instagram post early Monday, the former athlete and human rights advocate criticized UEFA for “dining at luxury venues” while Palestinian football players face fatal violence. He urged UEFA and FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, to exclude Israel from international events.

“As Suleiman struggled to find food, almost a full league of Palestinian athletes have been killed,” Foster expressed on social media.

“Sports hold a significant power in challenging the legitimacy of states engaged in genocide and apartheid; every player and fan should raise their voice.”

“The ball represents the globe, it is the people’s game, and everyone in it must share the same rights”.

Foster joins the likes of Egyptian football superstar Mohamed Salah in criticising the football body’s tribute to the player, who the Palestinian Football Association said was killed last Wednesday by Israeli forces while waiting near an aid distribution centre in southern Gaza.

Reuters reported his family said he was killed by a tank shell.

The Israeli government, backed by the United States, fiercely denies the charge and says it is fighting to defeat Hamas and to bring back Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

Who was Suleiman al-Obeid?

A star player, al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals in his career, earning him the nickname the ‘Pelé of Palestinian football’ — in reference to the legendary Brazilian goal-scorer.

Al Jazeera reported that al-Obeid began his journey with the Khadamat al-Shati club in Gaza and later joined the Al-Amari Youth Centre Club in the West Bank. He appeared in 24 international games, gaining fame for a remarkable scissor-kick goal versus Yemen at the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship.

Al-Obeid leaves behind a wife and five children.

Mohamed Salah speaks out

Following al-Obeid’s death, UEFA posted a tribute on X calling him: “A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”

This was re-posted by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who asked: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”

UEFA has not responded to the post.

An Israeli military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shosain, responded to Salah: “Hi Mohamed, after a preliminary check, we have no records of incidents involving Suleiman al-Obeid. We require further information for a detailed investigation.”

Footballers killed in Gaza

According to the Palestinian Football Association, 662 athletes and their family members have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023. Of those, 421 were footballers, and 103 of those were children.

More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed at aid distribution points managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since 27 May, according to the United Nations.