Sayed Abu Farchi dismissed for rifle-mime celebration

Sayed Abu Farchi’s goal celebration left Israel a player short and helped turn their Nations League opener against Austria into a defeat. The Israeli striker was dismissed after mimicking a rifle shot moments after scoring, with his team unable to protect the equaliser while down to 10 men.

Israel had been trailing before Abu Farchi levelled the match with a header in the 55th minute. He then ran towards the corner flag and made a gesture representing the use of a firearm. The forward had already been booked earlier in the match, so Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov issued a second yellow card and sent him off.

Kabakov considered the celebration provocative and contrary to the rules governing goal celebrations. The decision frustrated the Israeli side, but it left Austria with a numerical advantage for the remainder of the contest. Austria used that advantage to regain the lead and went on to win 3-1.

Abu Farchi’s equaliser had put Israel back into the game, but his dismissal changed the balance immediately. Instead of beginning the Nations League campaign with a result after recovering from behind, Israel ended the first matchday empty-handed. The incident became the main talking point from a match in which the striker’s goal and red card came within moments of each other.