From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
Abu Farchi sent off for snooker celebration in Israel loss
Israel's forward received a second yellow card for his goal celebration against Austria in a Nations League defeat.
In brief
Israel's forward received a second yellow card for his goal celebration against Austria in a Nations League defeat. A player can be sent off for an excessive or inappropriate goal celebration, even if the gesture was meant innocently. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Israel forward sent off in Austria loss
Saied Abu Farchi scored to equalize for Israel against Austria in a Nations League match on Thursday, but was sent off moments later for his goal celebration.
Abu Farchi's celebration mimicked snooker
The 20-year-old grabbed the corner flag, went down on one knee, and appeared to mimic a snooker cue. He has previously posted on social media that all his celebrations reference snooker.
“It's all a celebration of snooker.”
Second yellow card for the gesture
The referee had already booked Abu Farchi four minutes earlier. The celebration earned him a second yellow card, leaving Israel with 10 players for the rest of the match.
Austria scored twice more after red card
With Israel down to 10 men, Austria regained the lead in the 90th minute through Phillipp Mwene and added a third goal in stoppage time through Sasa Kalajdzic. Israel lost 3-1.
Coach says Abu Farchi must learn lesson
Israel head coach Ran Ben Shimon said Abu Farchi celebrates all his goals this way and acknowledged it was partly his responsibility to tell the player to stop the gesture.
“Perhaps it was my fault that I didn't tell him he needs to stop.”
The bottom line
A player can be sent off for an excessive or inappropriate goal celebration, even if the gesture was meant innocently.
