UEFA displays “Stop Killing Children” banner at Super Cup final
UEFA delivered a political statement regarding the genocide in Gaza before the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur on August 13, rolling a giant banner reading, “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians,” as reported by The National on August 14.
The said banner was unveiled in front of both teams before kick off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy, while UEFA in a post on X said about the banner, “the message is loud and clear,” accompanied by the message, “A banner. A call.”
The match ended with a 2-2 draw and was won by PSG on penalties.
This gesture by UEFA came after Mohamed Salah called out UEFA in a post regarding its neutrality and complicity in the conflict.
More specifically, the Liverpool star, criticized UEFA over a post intended as tribute to the Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al Obeid, who was shot dead while waiting for food by the Israeli army on Gaza.
UEFA’s statement read: “Farewell to Suleiman Al Obeid, the “Palestinian Pele”. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah reposted this on his X account writing, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
The incident brought renewed publicity to reports by the UN Human Rights Office that aid distribution points in Gaza are used as deathtraps, as according to information by The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 509 people were killed near aid distribution sites.
Suleiman Al Obeid made 19 appearances with the Palestine national team, playing in the Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games and Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
His name is added to the long list of athletes killed in Gaza since October 7th 2023, as according to the Palestinian Football Association at least 662 sports people and their relatives were killed by Israeli operations.
UEFA’s call comes as international actors push for tangible measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Recently, the EU announced that Israel had agreed to “expand” aid access, aiming to increase the flow of food and humanitarian supplies into the enclave amid worsening shortages.
The National, Maghrebi.org
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