Soccer: Israel's Abu Farchi sent off after controversial gun gesture celebration

Israel's national team forward Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for his goal celebration during Israel’s 3-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Austria on Thursday after using the corner flag to simulate a gun.

Abu Farchi headed home in the 55th minute at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz to equalize after Romano Schmid had given Austria the lead from the penalty spot before halftime.

The 20-year-old then ran toward the corner, grabbed the flag and made a gesture resembling firing a gun during his celebration.

The referee had already booked Abu Farchi four minutes earlier and showed him a second yellow card for the celebration, resulting in a red card that left Israel with 10 players.

Austria regained the lead in the 90th minute through Phillipp Mwene, who finished after a cross from Paul Wanner. Sasa Kalajdzic added a third goal in stoppage time with a close-range finish.

International pressure grows over Israel’s football participation

The incident came amid growing pressure from some groups calling for Israel’s national team to be excluded from international competitions over the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Israel Football Association (IFA) recently engaged in a social media dispute with Republic of Ireland national team coach Heimir Hallgrímsson over Ireland’s decision to call for boycotts of upcoming matches against Israel.

In a post on X, the IFA wrote: “We have contributed to the world and humanity... Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.”

“We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity,” the IFA added. “We’re playing against the coach who embodies them.”

Hallgrímsson said last week that he had spoken individually with players about facing Israel and that “none of us feel comfortable playing in these games.”

Israel-Ireland games to be held behind closed doors amid boycott calls

On Monday, Reuters reported that more than 160 Irish sports figures had signed an open letter urging the Ireland national football team to boycott its two upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, according to the Irish Sport for Palestine Group.

The matches, scheduled for September 27 and October 4 in Serbia, will be played at neutral venues and behind closed doors.