Mahmoud Sarsak

Mahmoud Sarsak (* 1987) is a football player of the Palestinian national football team.

Career

Sarsak began his football career in a small club in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. As a member of the Palestinian youth team, he participated in an international match in Iraq.

Arrest and hunger strike

Sarsak was arrested on 22 July 2009 on the way to his club Balata Youth. He was then imprisoned for three years without indictment under the administrative detention in Israeli prison. On March 19, 2012, he began a hunger strike to protest the detention. In June 2012, professional football players from around the world launched a campaign for his release. Among others, the ex - footballer Eric Cantona signed a complaint to the UEFA President Michel Platini letter in which he called for the immediate release of the Palestinian national player. The same call was also signed by Noam Chomsky and John Dugard. On July 10, 2012 Sarsak was released from prison.