Gary Lineker and Jeremy Corbyn back Mo Salah after calling out 'Palestinian Pele' tribute

UEFA have been placed under increased pressure to respond after Mohamed Salah’s words helped gather momentum behind a controversial social media post.

European football’s governing body have been placed in the spotlight after the Liverpool forward publicly questioned their tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid. The footballer, who was known as the “Palestinian Pele”, was killed in Gaza on Wednesday.

The Palestine Football Association said the 41-year-old was killed by Israeli troops while waiting at an aid station in Gaza City. The PFA added: “The number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children.”

In a post on X on Friday, UEFA wrote: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”.

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Salah later quote-tweeted it, writing: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” At the time of writing, his post has been viewed 80 million times and has now caught the attention of other influential people.

Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker reshared Salah’s post on his Instagram story on Saturday, adding in another post: “We can’t hear you Uefa”.

Meanwhile, former Labour leader turned independent MP Jeremy Corbyn echoed the sentiment, replying to Salah by writing: “Well said Mo!”

Mirror Football has contacted UEFA to request comment. The death of al-Obeid, who is survived by his wife and five children, is a high-profile example of the war in Gaza crossing over into the sporting world.

The PFA has been keen to highlight the impact of the Israeli occupation on sport, reporting that 288 sports facilities, encompassing stadiums, training grounds, gyms and clubhouses, have been damaged or turned into rubble.

Liverpool and Egypt forward Salah has a history of speaking out on the Gaza conflict. In a video posted on Instagram in October 2023, he said: "It is not always easy to speak in times like this. There has been too much violence and too much heartbreak and brutality.

"The escalations in the recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart."

Pressure has been increasing on Israel to end its occupation of Gaza, with UN-backed global food security experts warning last month the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out". Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says 217 people have now died of malnutrition, including 100 children.

Israel placed a total blockade on aid to Gaza in March and has handed over responsibility for aid to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The UN reported earlier this month that at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food since late May.

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