The UEFA used the framework of the UEFA Super Cup final between PSG and Tottenham, held at the Friuli Stadium in Udine, to send a message against Israel, highlighted by the presence of Palestinian refugee children during the medal ceremony alongside the president of the European confederation, Aleksander Ceferin.
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“Stop killing children, stop killing civilians”, was the banner displayed in the initial photo on the grass this Wednesday, in front of the lineups of PSG and Tottenham. The message became a trend on social media, although with some criticism of the ambiguity of the quote, as a stance against Israel for its invasion of Gaza.
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Why did UEFA send that message against Israel?
UEFA had previously announced their intention to make such a call, with the presence of children from conflict zones. “Two Palestinian refugee children participate in the medal presentation ceremony alongside UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin at the 2025 UEFA Super Cup,” they had said.
The final was won by PSG after drawing 2-2 against Tottenham and then prevailing in the penalty shootout.
The UEFA Foundation for Children invited Tala, “a 12-year-old Palestinian girl with delicate health, transferred to Milan to receive adequate medical care, as the necessary equipment was not available in Gaza after the start of the war, and Mohamed, a 9-year-old boy who lost his parents during the war and was seriously injured in an airstrike.”
Although it did not explicitly condemn Israel’s actions, UEFA stood against the conflict just as it works with its Foundation in Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
The European football governing body was also in the spotlight after Liverpool star Mohamed Salah criticized its lack of firmness for not demanding explanations for the death of the “Palestinian Pelé,” Suleiman al-Obeid, who was murdered in Gaza according to his Federation.