If you add one plus one, the result could only be that UEFA’s launching of a new humanitarian initiative to provide aid to children in Gaza came because of Mohamed Salah’s recent biting message to European football’s governing body.
First, the result of Salah’s intervention. The UEFA Foundation for Children announced new partnerships with three humanitarian organisations, Médecins du Monde, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and Handicap International, to deliver “vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza”.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who also serves as chairman of the foundation, stated that children are “innocent” and that it is the organisation’s duty “to stand beside children when they need us.”
“Whatever the adults waging wars think they are doing, the children are innocent. But, in all conflicts, they are dying every single day and we must do what we can to help those who are trying to make life more tolerable and normal for them. It’s our duty as adults, as parents, as neighbours, as human beings to stand beside children when they need us.”
The aid efforts will include medical care, psychosocial support, food distribution, and education on the risks of explosive remnants.
UEFA noted that this new initiative is an extension of its previous work in other conflict zones, including Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan.
But until last week, Gaza, the biggest conflict zone the modern world has ever seen, enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions, was conspicuously left off the list. Until Salah said what was on the minds of millions.
The catalyst for the UEFA initiative started with last week’s killing of Suleiman Al-Obeid, a 41-year-old former Palestinian national team player known as the “Palestinian Pelé”.
According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), Al-Obeid was reportedly among those gathered near an aid distribution point in southern Gaza when Israeli forces opened fire. At least 18 people were killed, including Al-Obeid, as famine and a humanitarian collapse continue to worsen under Israel’s siege.
The PFA mourned Al-Obeid’s death in a statement: “Former national team player and star of the Khadamat Al-Shate’ team, Suleiman Al-Obeid, was martyred after the [Israeli] occupation forces targeted those waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday” (6 August).
UEFA initially responded with a brief social media post paying tribute to Al-Obeid as “a talent who gave hope to countless children” but did not mention the circumstances surrounding his death.
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, who reposted the tribute on X, asked the very next day “can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Salah’s sharp rebuke shook the UEFA into the action it took. But the Salah effect did one more thing: after he demanded in not so many words that UEFA speak out about how Al-Obeid was killed, ahead of the UEFA Super Cup between reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur, UEFA rolled out a banner reading “Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians”.
The match, taking place in Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy, was the first high-profile encounter of the European season. It was a big platform from which UEFA, in an unprecedented move, directly addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, breaking from its long-standing policy of avoiding politically sensitive statements in football arenas.
In another symbolic gesture, two refugee children from Gaza took part in the medal presentation ceremony after the match.
The display marked a significant departure from UEFA’s traditionally apolitical stance. While the European governing body has consistently promoted “no discrimination” campaigns and responded to general humanitarian concerns, it has generally refrained from making statements that could be interpreted as taking sides in conflicts with political dimensions.
According to UEFA’s own regulations, political, ideological, and religious messages are prohibited inside stadiums before, during, or after matches, with violations potentially leading to fines and other disciplinary measures. The message in Udine, however, directly addressed the ongoing violence in Gaza, making it one of the rare occasions UEFA has stepped into a politically charged humanitarian debate.
Historically, the governing body has reserved its public statements for issues framed as non-political, such as anti-racism campaigns or support for refugees without explicit reference to the causes of their displacement.
Observers note that UEFA has previously sanctioned clubs and national associations for political banners in stadiums, citing the need to keep football “neutral” and “free from political influence.” The events in Udine, however, stand out as a notable departure from protocol.
Much thanks to Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian international has previously called for urgent humanitarian intervention, condemning the violence and demanding aid access for the people of Gaza.
Al-Obeid rose to prominence as one of the brightest stars of the game in Gaza. Known for his technical skills and pace, he played 24 international matches with the national team, scoring twice.
Over a long career with clubs in both Gaza and the West Bank, Al-Obeid racked up more than 100 goals, securing his status as one of Palestine’s all-time greats.
The killing of Al-Obeid, who leaves behind a wife and five children, brings the total number of athletes and their family members killed in Gaza since October 2023 to 662, according to the PFA. Football alone has lost 321 figures, including players, coaches, referees, administrators and club board members.
Israel began its military offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 killed 1,200 people and 251 others were taken hostage.
Since then, more than 61,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 21 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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