UEFA Highlights Humanitarian Crisis Before Super Cup Final
Before the Super Cup final between Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, UEFA displayed a banner reading "Stop killing children - Stop killing civilians."
The banner was prominently shown on the pitch as players lined up for the kick-off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.
During the medal ceremony, two refugee children from Gaza were honored. UEFA introduced a 12-year-old Palestinian girl named Tala and a nine-year-old boy named Mohamed, both of whom have relocated to Milan for medical treatment.
Additionally, nine other children from conflict-affected regions, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Ukraine, participated in the pre-match display.
On Saturday, Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool and Egypt forward, criticized UEFA for posting a tribute to the late Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid on social media, which did not address the circumstances of his death.
The Palestinian Football Association reported that Obeid, 41, affectionately known as the "Pele of Palestinian football," was killed in an Israeli attack while awaiting humanitarian aid in southern Gaza the day prior.
In response to UEFA's post about Al-Obeid on X, Salah questioned, "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
On Tuesday, the UEFA Foundation for Children announced an expansion of its humanitarian efforts to assist children in Gaza, partnering with three charities to provide essential aid.
Despite UEFA's commitment to humanitarian causes, the organization’s own regulations prohibit political, ideological, and religious messages in stadiums before, during, or after matches, with potential financial penalties and disciplinary actions for violations.
Tala, who joined UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for the medal ceremony following PSG's victory over Spurs in penalties, was described as a young girl with "fragile health," having been transferred to Milan for medical care due to a lack of necessary equipment in Gaza since the onset of the war.
She was accompanied on stage by Mohamed, who tragically lost both parents in the conflict and suffered severe injuries from an airstrike.
Israel commenced its military offensive in Gaza following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. The ongoing offensive has reportedly led to the deaths of nearly 62,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which also noted that 235 individuals, including 106 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition.