Israel's Farchi sent off after apparent gun gesture

Israel forward Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for celebrating his goal against Austria in their 3-1 UEFA Nations League defeat on Thursday by appearing to use the corner flag to simulate a gun.

Abu Farchi headed home in the 55th minute to bring Israel level after Austria had taken the lead through a Romano Schmid penalty before half-time at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz.

The 20-year-old ran to the corner flag, grabbed it and made what appeared to be a gun-firing gesture during his celebration.

The referee had booked Abu Farchi four minutes earlier and showed him a second yellow card for the celebration, followed by a red, leaving Israel with 10 players.

The rules state players will be booked for celebrations considered provocative, derisory or inflammatory. It is also an offence to remove or move a corner flag.

Israel manager Ran Ben-Shimon said afterwards that the Colorado Rapids midfielder - an Arab Israeli - has done the same celebration in the MLS previously and never been booked.

"I've seen it before and everyone can check," said Ben-Shimon.

"When this young player scores, in the Israeli national team or the MLS or anywhere he plays, he celebrates in the same situation again and again and he never gets a yellow card about it.

"He didn't know about it, this is his way to celebrate every goal he scores. He's a young player, I'm sure this lesson will stay with him a long time, he made a mistake."

Abu Farchi will miss the match with the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and it remains to be seen if UEFA take further action.

Austria regained the lead in the 90th minute through Phillipp Mwene, who netted following a cross from Paul Wanner.

Sasa Kalajdzic added a third in stoppage time with a close-range finish.