GENEVA, August 10, 2025 (WAFA) - 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,” she said in a post 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,” said Albanese.

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 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.

Thirty-nine athletes, scouts, and youth from the Palestinian sports and scouting movement were killed in the past month alone, bringing the total number of those killed since the start of the ongoing genocide to more than 656.
T.R.