Israel player Sayed Abu Farchi sent off for goal celebration in Nations League
Associated Press
1 / 3
Israel's Saied Abu Farchi celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Nations League Group B3 soccer match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Israel's Saied Abu Farchi, right, celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Nations League Group B3 soccer match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Israel's Saied Abu Farchi, right, scores his sides first goal past Austria's Philipp Lienhart during the Nations League Group B3 soccer match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Israel's Saied Abu Farchi celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Nations League Group B3 soccer match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
LINZ – Israel player Sayed Abu Farchi was sent off for his goal-scoring celebration after equalizing against Austria in the Nations League on Thursday.
The forward's goal made the score 1-1 early in the second half. He then jogged to the corner, pulled out the corner flag, dropped his right knee to the grass and rested the pole on the back of his left hand before making a firing gesture. It wasn’t immediately clear if Farchi was simulating a pool cue shot or a weapon.
Recommended Videos
The referee promptly showed the Colorado Rapids forward a second yellow card, just four minutes after his first, leading to a red card.
Romano Schmid’s penalty had opened the scoring. Phillipp Mwene and Saša Kalajdžić scored in the final minutes for Austria to win the game 3-1.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
