Israel Player's Father Claims Red Card Was Due to Nationality

The father of Israeli national team player Seyed Abu Farhi has claimed his son was unfairly red-carded during a recent match because he is Israeli. Seyed Abu Farhi received a second yellow card for celebrating a goal he scored in a 2-1 loss to Austria in the UEFA Nations League. His father, Mohammed Abu Farhi, told "5 Ba'avir - The Newsroom" that the celebration was typical for his son and that he had never received two yellow cards in the same game before.

Mohammed Abu Farhi stated, "It is clear he received a red card because he is Israeli, there is no dispute about it." He contrasted this with an English player who he claims committed a similar offense against Spain without being carded. He expressed sadness that his son's celebration, which fulfilled a lifelong dream, led to his dismissal and left the team with ten players for nearly 40 minutes.

Abu Farhi's father also discussed his son's decision to represent Israel, emphasizing that he was raised to respect those who respect them and that Seyed's development was fostered by Maccabi Tel Aviv. He acknowledged the complexity of celebrations abroad, particularly concerning gestures, and suggested that the Israeli Football Association should provide clearer guidelines to players to avoid potential misunderstandings or controversies.

Regarding his son's recent move to the MLS, Mohammed Abu Farhi shared that Seyed is adapting well to life in Colorado, despite it being a different environment than Europe. He consulted with other Israeli players in the MLS and was convinced by the league's facilities and coaching staff, anticipating a successful multi-year stint before a potential move back to Europe.