Who was "Palestine Pele"; Suleiman Obeid & UEFA and FIFA Double Standards

Who was Palestine Pele

Sulaiman Al-Obaid also known as "Palestine Pele" March 1984 was a Palestinian international footballer who played as a forward and winger. He scored his first international goal during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship, and represented the national team during the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification and the 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Career

The football star leaves behind a wife and five children. Al-Obeid, born in Gaza and a father of five, is seen as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. He played 24 official matches for the national team and scored two goals. The former football star began his career with the Khadamat al-Shati club in Gaza, before joining the ranks of the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank.

During his long career, the Gaza player scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football. He was nicknamed the “Pele of Palestinian football” after the Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best football players of all time. The tragic martyrdom in Gaza of one of Palestine’s most revered players. Some called him the ‘Palestinian Pele’. Others nicknamed him ‘Henry’ because of the likenesses between his game and that of World Cup winner Thierry Henry.He was nicknamed the “Pele of Palestinian football” after the Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best football players of all time.

In some instances, Al‑Obeid and other players from Gaza faced restrictions on movement. For example, in 2010, six Palestinian players from Gaza (including him) were turned back at the Jordanian border en route to a friendly match because they allegedly didn’t have special permits required to enter the West Bank. Al‑Obeid was quoted as saying how painful it was for athletes not to be able to represent their national team freely.

Club Career

Club / Team	Years	Apps (official)	Goals (official)	Major Honours / Notes
Khadamat Al-Shati (Gaza)	2002–2008	90+	45+	Gaza Premier League standout player
Markaz Shabab Al-Am’ari (WBPL)	2008–2012	70+	30+	Helped club contend in West Bank Premier League
Gaza Sports Club	2012–2015	50+	20+	Returned to Gaza; local hero and top scorer
Khadamat Al-Shati (return)	2015–2023	100+	40+	Captain; symbol of Gaza football resilience
Total (Club Career)	2002–2023	300+	130+	“Palestinian Pelé” — admired for flair and goals

International Career

Years	Caps	Goals	Major Competitions / Highlights
2007–2013	19–24	2	Scored stunning scissors-kick goal vs Yemen (WAFF 2010)

Martyrdom

On 6 August 2025, Obeid was shot and martyred by Israeli forces in Gaza while waiting for humanitarian aid alongside other civilians, according to the Palestinian Football Association. His wife and five children survived him.

UEFA posted on X that Palestine Pele has died. Mohamed Salah reposted the post and asked UEFA, "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?".

Not The Sole One

Name	Age	Position	Club(s)	Date of Martyrdom	Cause of Martyrdom
Mohammed Barakat	39	Forward	Ahly Gaza; previously Shabab Khan Younis, Al Wehdat, Al Shoalah, etc.	11 March 2024	Martyred in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict, house bombed in Khan Yunis, Gaza.
Suleiman Ahmed Zaid Obeid (“Palestinian Pelé”)	41	Forward / Winger	Khadamat Al-Shatea; Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari; Gaza Sport	6 August 2025	Shot and Martyred by Israeli forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Muhannad al-Lili	30	Forward / outfield player	Khadamat al-Maghazi; also played for Shabab Jabalia, Gaza Sports etc.	3-4 July 2025	Injuries from an Israeli airstrike (drone missile struck home) — head trauma, internal bleeding.
Rashid Dabour	28	Forward / club-level player	Al Ahly Beit Hanoun Club; also national team involvement	10 October 2023	Martyred with family in airstrike on his home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.

UEFA and FIFA's Double Standard

When the war between Russia and Ukraine started, FIFA and UEFA banned Russia from all competitions. Because Russia invaded Ukraine, and Russia has been accused of humanitarian violations and war crimes. However, in the case of Israel, UEFA and FIFA both show hypocrisy and selective enforcement, not banning them from even a single competition. Spain took the stand for Palestine and Gaza, clearing their stance that Spain will not be a part of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 if Israel qualifies and will be allowed to play.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation has made clear that it will not take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 if Israel is not banned by FIFA. Remember, Israel is still in the qualifying process in the European qualifiers. But FIFA has not responded to the Spanish Football Federation to date. FIFA and UEFA are not interested in banning Israel from competition, still after the two years of ongoing genocide in GAZA.