Kansas City Chiefs player Husain Abdullah was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on Monday night after dropping to his knees in prayer after scoring a touchdown.

Abdullah, a devout Muslim, knelt down and touched his forehead on the pitch which technically is in violation of the league’s celebration rules.

The penalty was a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty even though Abdullah is clearly seen practising the Sajdah, a religious prostration.

Former NFL referee Mike Pereira pointed out on Twitter last year that dropping down to one’s knees in prayer is exempt from the rules while Abdullah’s agent CJ LaBoy took to Twitter yesterday saying: “If the NFL tries to fine @HAbdullah39 for his TD celebration there’s going to be some problems.”

Abdullah missed the entire 2012 season to take a spiritual pilgrimage to Mecca, along with his brother Hamza, who is also an NFL player.

The penalty has sparked debate around the US about whether he should have been punished.