Kansas City Chiefs’ Husain Abdullah has been penalized after celebrating a touchdown by dropping to his knees in prayer.

The American Muslim NFL player scored for the Kansas City Chiefs as they defeated the New England Patriots 41-14.

Officials penalized Husain Abdullah for breaking “excessive celebration” rules by sliding on his knees and pressing his forehead to the ground after scoring.

It is unclear if the 15-yard penalty was for sliding or praying but an NFL director said the decision was wrong.

NFL rules state that “players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground”, but there is an exception for going to ground for prayer.

Michael Signora, NFL’s vice president of communications, tweeted: “Abdullah should not have been penalized. Officiating mechanic is not to flag player who goes to ground for religious reasons.”

Husain Abdullah has been penalized after celebrating a touchdown by dropping to his knees in prayer (photo ESPN)

Fans took to social media to point out that there were plenty of Christian players who marked their touchdowns with signs of deference or religious tributes.

Husain Abdullah, 29, told the Kansas City Star newspaper that game officials had said nothing to him at the time but the Chiefs’ coach had told him he had been penalized for sliding.

“I don’t think it was because of the actual prostration that I got the penalty,” he told the AP news agency.

“I think it was because of the slide.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the NFL to explain the reason for the penalty.

“To prevent the appearance of a double standard, we urge league officials to clarify the policy on prayer and recognize that the official made a mistake in this case,” spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said.

Husain Abdullah, a devout Muslim, missed the entire 2012 season to go on a Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with his brother, another NFL player.

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