Before kick-off at the UEFA Super Cup Final in Udine between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, UEFA displayed a large banner that read: “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians.” The banner was carried by nine refugee children from war-affected regions, including Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
Two of the children, 12-year-old Tala and 9-year-old Mohamed, are Palestinian and are currently receiving medical treatment in Milan. Mohamed, who lost both of his parents and suffered serious injuries, later joined UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin during the medal ceremony. Tala, due to her health condition, was unable to stay for the full match.
UEFA described the message as a humanitarian statement, not a political one. According to the organization, it was planned in advance and meant to highlight the suffering of children in conflict zones around the world.
The banner sparked mixed reactions. Some people appreciated the gesture as a necessary reminder of the human cost of war. Others criticized it for being vague and not directly referencing the situation in Gaza or naming any specific country involved. There were also questions raised about why UEFA had not made similar gestures in the past for victims of other conflicts.
Regardless of the debate, the moment stood out. On one of football’s biggest stages, UEFA used its platform to send a message about protecting innocent lives — especially children — in the middle of ongoing global conflicts.
