When the banner displayed at the Udinine Stadium in Italy appeared, two Palestinian refugee children participated in the opening ceremony with seven children from conflict zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria and Ukraine.
UEFA insiders said the information was not about politics but about human nature, which can be said to be just common sense, and emphasized that the event was planned long before Liverpool striker Salah last week questioned UEFA's mourning for the Palestinian player he died. According to UEFA regulations, political information or behaviors are not allowed in the stadium and surrounding areas before, during and after the game, and the banner does not mention any specific conflicts.
Salah had previously questioned in response to UEFA's memorials on social media: "Can you tell us how, where and why he was killed?"
The Palestinian international Suleiman Obed was called "Palestine Bailey" by the Palestinian Football Association and was allegedly attacked and killed by the Israeli military while waiting for humanitarian aid. UEFA revealed in a statement on Wednesday that its UNICEF invited two Gaza refugee children treated in Milan, a frail girl Tara, a 12-year-old girl, and Mohamed, who lost her parents and was seriously injured in the air strike, to participate in the award ceremony with Chairman Cheferin.
Nine refugee children from different conflict areas (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Palestine and Ukraine) displayed banners while queuing, all benefiting from the UEFA Children’s Fund Partner Program, which is dedicated to promoting social integration of different ethnic cultures.
Udinese Club also invited 82 local children from poor or sick to greet and watch the game when the team arrived at the stadium.