Yellow‑Red Card after Abu Farchis' Gun Gesture Makes Austria Celebrate

In the second half of the Nations League group, Saied Abu Farchi equalised in the 55th minute to make it 1‑1 against Austria, only to be sent off a few seconds later for a controversial celebration. The 20‑year‑old striker of MLS club Colorado Rapids celebrated by pulling the corner flag from the ground and mimicking a shot with it, which prompted the Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakow to issue a yellow‑red card.

Celebration that changed the game

Abu Farchi had already received a yellow card in the 52nd minute for a scuffle before a corner. Just four minutes later, after his equaliser, he pulled out the corner flag and performed a strike with it, which some interpreted as a shot and others as a billiards cue strike. Kabakow saw this as an offence and showed the second yellow card, meaning the young attacker immediately received the yellow‑red card.

Reactions from coaches and players

Israel's national coach Ran Ben Shimon said that Abu Farchi celebrates each of his goals in this way and that he did not know the gesture could lead to a card. “Maybe it was my mistake that I didn’t tell him he has to stop it,” Shimon said, emphasizing that the player should learn from it.

Austria's ÖFB‑ Patrick Wimmer criticised the celebration as “simply stupid” and said that in the current situation of the country such a thing has no place. Philipp Mwene called the action “dumb”, while Nicolas Seiwald said the celebration “doesn’t work” and that the dismissal brought the momentum back to Austria.

Consequences for the next match

Ralf Rangnick, head coach of the ÖFB, pointed out that the referee judged the gesture as unsporting behaviour, and stressed that the official’s decision did not damage the match. Because of the yellow‑red card, Abu Farchi is suspended for the upcoming Nations League duel between Israel and Ireland on Sunday.

Austria began the Nations League with a late 3‑1 victory over Israel, with the decision regarding Abu Farchi’s celebration significantly influencing the course of the game.