Yussef Suleiman (Arabic: يوسف سليمان, also transcribed as Sleman; 17 September 1986 – 20 February 2013) was a Syrian football player.

Yussef Suleiman
Personal information
Date of birth (1986-09-17)17 September 1986
Place of birth Homs, Syria
Date of death 20 February 2013(2013-02-20) (aged 26)
Place of death Baramkeh, Damascus, Syria
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Centre forward
Youth career
Al-Karamah
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2013 Al-Karamah
2013 Al-Wathba SC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Suleiman was born in Homs and last played for Al-Wathba SC. He was killed by a mortar shell fired by the armed opposition during the Syrian civil war, while preparing for training practice inside a hotel in Baramkeh, Damascus.[1] The attack occurred a few hours before the team was to play a league game against the Hama-based Nawair club at Tishreen Stadium in Damascus.[2]

Suleiman's teammates reported that he was the father of a six-month-old baby. FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed his condolences in an open letter to the Syrian Football Association.[3]

Suleiman played for Al Karamah in the 2008 AFC Champions League knockout stages.[4][5][6]

Notes

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According to some sources, Suleiman was 19 years old at the time of his death.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Syrian footballer killed in Damascus mortar attack". the Guardian. Associated Press. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. ^ "صحيفة تشرين • والد اللاعب الشهيد يوسف سليمان لـ"تشرين": ربيته ليصبح لاعباً ومهندساً فكان ما أردت". Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Blatter sends condolences after Syria youth international is killed". Goal.com. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  4. ^ "AFC Champions League 2008 MATCH SUMMARY". AFC Champions League. 17 September 2008.
  5. ^ "Official ACL Media Guide 2008" (PDF). the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  6. ^ "BBC News – Syria footballer 'killed in Damascus stadium attack'". BBC News. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Blatter sends condolences after Syria youth international is killed". Goal.com. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Syrian footballer killed in Damascus mortar attack". the Guardian. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2014.