UEFA has announced new humanitarian efforts in Gaza, days after Salah publicly challenged their muted tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid.
Suleiman al-Obeid was killed last week when Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.
Following the tragedy, UEFA made a very vague social media post that said: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
The day after, Mohamed Salah responded pointedly: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
As it seems, the public pushback from Salah and football fans from around the world did reach UEFA's board.
The governing body's charitable arm, the UEFA Foundation for Children, announced funding partnerships with Medecins du Monde, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Handicap International, specifically "to provide vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza, who are enduring what United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described as 'a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.'"
In a statement, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said, "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 initiative builds on the foundation's past work in conflict zones, including Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan.