Israel forward Sayed Abu Farchi was sent off after celebrating his goal by appearing to mimic firing a gun during Israel’s UEFA Nations League match against Austria on Thursday.
The 20-year-old equalised for Israel in the 55th minute with a header, cancelling out Romano Schmid’s first-half penalty.
After scoring, Abu Farchi ran towards the corner, removed the corner flag, dropped to one knee and used the pole to imitate a weapon before making a firing gesture.
The referee immediately showed him a second yellow card, just four minutes after his first booking, resulting in a red card.
Under International Football Association Board Law 12, players are permitted to celebrate goals, but celebrations must not be excessive or provocative, derisory or inflammatory.
Austria took advantage of Israel’s numerical disadvantage and eventually won 3–1. Phillipp Mwene restored Austria’s lead in the 90th minute before Sasa Kalajdzic scored in stoppage time to seal the victory.
Israel’s participation in the Nations League has faced criticism from some competing countries amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Austrian supporters also displayed a “Free Palestine” banner during Thursday’s match.
Israel will face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary, before the return fixture in Ireland on October 4.
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