At the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zürich, Mekhissi-Benabbad was disqualified after finishing first in the final of 3000m steeplechase. The action was taken after he removed his shirt on the home-straight of the final lap in an act of celebration, and the Spanish team lodged an official protest for "unsporting behaviour". The 3000m steeplechase gold medal was awarded to fellow French athlete Yoann Kowal, who had finished second in that race. Mekhissi-Benabbad would win the 1500m title three days later.