Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, called for expelling Israeli from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) competitions.
“Time to expel its killers from competitions, UEFA,” Albanese wrote on X, in response to UEFA’s repost bidding farewell to a Palestinian football player who was killed in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
“Let’s make sport apartheid and genocide free. One ball, one kick at a time,” she added.
In a post on X, UEFA bid farewell to Palestinian football player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the ‘Palestinian Pelé’.
The post described al-Obeid as: “A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday as he was seeking humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip.
He earned the title “the Palestinian Pelé” in recognition of his exceptional talent, referencing the Brazilian football legend, Pelé, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.
