Israel’s Abu Farchi Sent Off For Gun-Gesture Goal Celebration In Nations League Loss

Israel forward Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for a second yellow card after celebrating his equalising goal against Austria by using the corner flag to simulate firing a gun, during his side’s 3-1 UEFA Nations League defeat on Thursday at Raiffeisen Arena in Linz.

The 20-year-old, who plays club football for Colorado Rapids in MLS, headed in the equaliser in the 55th minute after Austria had taken the lead through a Romano Schmid penalty in the first half, before pulling out the corner flag, dropping to one knee and making a firing gesture.

Having already been booked four minutes earlier, Abu Farchi received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Israel with 10 players. Austria went on to score twice late in the match, through Phillipp Mwene in the 90th minute and Sasa Kalajdzic in stoppage time, to win 3-1. Football’s laws permit a caution for goal celebrations deemed provocative, derisory or inflammatory.

The incident drew wide international attention amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s participation in the tournament, which has prompted objections from several competing nations. The Republic of Ireland’s request to avoid pairings with Israel was rejected by UEFA, and the two sides are set to meet on Sunday at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary, followed by a return fixture on October 4.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had earlier described playing Israel as “playing against genocide,” a comment the Israeli Football Association called “hypocrisy and stupidity,” though the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed it will fulfil both fixtures.