UEFA have defended their ‘Stop killing children, stop killing civilians’ banner displayed prior to Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup – insisting that it was not a political message as they come under-fire for being ‘hypocritical’.
The banner was shown during the opening ceremony of Wednesday’s showpiece between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur – with it being unfurled by nine refugee children from different conflict zones (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Palestine and Ukraine).
Ahead of the match at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy; European football’s governing body announced that two refugee children from the Israel-Gaza War were going to take to take part in the medals ceremony too.
And following on from the events in Udine, Israeli football figures called out the banner gesture as ‘hypocritical,’ according to Israeli outlet, JFeed. They add that an official also demanded to know ‘Where were you on October 7?’ as tensions continue during that conflict.
Under their own rules, UEFA state that political messages can not be promoted in stadiums before, during or after matches.
And they have double-downed on that stance, by insisting that message was about humanity, not politics.
A UEFA insider told The Times that the message was ‘not political but about humanity – in fact you could say it is just common sense’.
Of the two refugee children that took part in the medals ceremony, UEFA said: ‘Twelve-year-old Tala is a young Palestinian girl with fragile health who was transferred to Milan to receive appropriate medical care, as the adequate equipment was lacking in Gaza after the start of the war.
‘Tala will be joined on the podium by nine-year-old Mohamed, who lost his parents during the war and was severely injured following an air strike.
‘Due to the seriousness of his condition and his young age, Mohamed and his grandmother were fortunate enough to leave Gaza and were welcomed in Milan, where Mohamed is currently undergoing medical treatment.’
In the past club’s displaying political banners have been punished by UEFA, with Celtic fined £8,635 (€10,000) for the displaying of an ‘illicit banner’ during a match against Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva in September 2016. Palestinian flags were visible during the Champions League play-off first leg at Celtic Park on 17 August, 2016.
However, UEFA chose to not sanction the Scottish giants earlier this year during their Champions League play-off first-leg against Bayern Munich.
That February 12, 2025 match saw a banner relating to Israel was unveiled by supporters at half-time and remained in place for the majority of the second half. Hundreds of Celtic fans held up red sheets of paper in the seats below where the banner – which read ‘Show Israel the red card’ – was displayed.
Wednesday’s scenes comes just days after Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah questioned UEFA’s ‘farewell’ to former Palestinian soccer player Suleiman Obeid who was reportedly shot and killed by Israeli forces while awaiting aid in Gaza.
‘Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?’ Salah asked on the social network X in response to a post from UEFA saying, ‘Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the `Palestinian Pele.
‘A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.’
Obeid, 41, was fatally shot by Israeli forces on Wednesday while he was waiting among crowds for aid near a distribution site in southern Gaza, the Palestine Football Association said. He leaves behind a wife and five children. The Associated Press could not independently verify the account.
Obeid played 24 games for Palestine, scoring two goals, while he scored more than 100 over his career with local clubs, said the PFA, which described him as ‘one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.’
The PFA published a letter attributed to Aleksander Ceferin in which the UEFA president said he was ‘deeply saddened by the tragic death’ of Obeid, who was ‘more than just a footballer. He was proof that joy, skill, and pride can flourish despite suffering.
‘His talent and dedication to the game gave the children of Gaza and beyond reason to believe in a brighter tomorrow. His passing is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who understands the power of sport to inspire.’
Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani replied to Salah on X: ‘Hey Mohamed, After an initial review, we found no records of any incidents involving Suleiman al-Obeid. In order to take a closer look, we need more details.’
The PFA said Obeid´s death brings to 662 the number of Palestinian athletes and sporting officials killed since the 22-month war started.
The UN human rights office said last month that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid in Gaza since May, nearly all by Israeli fire.
Israel´s air and ground campaign has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population , destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine . Hamas-led militants triggered the war when they stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 people.
