Video: Israeli striker sent off for ‘gun-shooting’ goal celebration in Nations League clash
Abdullateef Fowewe
Israel forward Saied Abu Farchi was shown a red card after celebrating his equalizing goal against Austria by using a corner flag to simulate firing a gun during Thursday night’s UEFA Nations League match in Linz.
Abu Farchi headed home in the 55th minute to level the score at 1-1 after Austria had taken the lead through a Romano Schmid penalty before half-time.
The 20-year-old then ran to the corner, pulled out the flag, dropped to one knee and made a firing motion with the pole.
Already booked minutes earlier, he received a second yellow card from Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov, resulting in his dismissal and leaving Israel with 10 players.
Austria went on to win 3-1, scoring twice late through Phillipp Mwene in the 90th minute and Sasa Kalajdzic in stoppage time.
Abu Farchi, born on 11 May 2006 in Baqa al-Gharbiyye to an Arab-Muslim family, is a product of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth system.
He made his senior breakthrough with the Israeli club before completing a transfer to Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids earlier this month in a deal reported at around $5-6 million.
The young striker has represented Israel at youth levels and earned senior caps, including this Nations League appearance where he scored his first international goal.
Football’s Laws of the Game allow goal celebrations but caution players for actions deemed excessive, provocative, derisory or inflammatory.
