Nations League: Israel player sent off over gun gesture celebration

Sayed Abu Farhi joined Colorado Rapids earlier this month from Maccabi Tel Aviv

Israel midfielder Sayed Abu Farhi was sent off after appearing to make a gun gesture during his goal celebration in his side’s 3-1 Nations League defeat by Austria.

The 20-year-old Colorado Rapids player scored Israel’s equaliser in Linz before using the corner flag to mimic shooting a gun.

As reported by BBC on Thursday, the referee showed Abu Farhi a second yellow card, leaving Israel with 10 men.

Football’s Laws of the Game allow referees to caution players for goal celebrations that are considered provocative, derisory or inflammatory.

Austria had taken the lead through Romano Schmid before Abu Farhi’s equaliser. Phillipp Mwene restored Austria’s advantage late in the match, with Sasa Kalajdzic adding a third goal to seal the victory.

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The incident came amid wider controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in international football following the ongoing war in Gaza.

Campaigners in the Republic of Ireland have called for a boycott of Ireland’s upcoming matches against Israel, with the two fixtures scheduled to be played at neutral venues.

The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli figures cited by international organisations.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has reported more than 73,000 deaths from Israeli attacks, figures the United Nations has said are broadly reliable.

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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