Irish snooker legend Ken Doherty has been unexpectedly dragged into the controversy over an Israeli footballer who was accused of celebrating a goal with a gun gesture.And the former world champion, 57, has simply responded with a laughing face emoji at the clip of his name being pulled into the scandal. Israel forward Sayed Abu Farchi was sent off in the second half of his side’s defeat against Austria, having taken the corner flag out the ground and appeared to mimic a gunshot.Fans were left stunned and judged the move to be in bad taste, given Israel are at war with Palestine, with more than 70,000 people killed by Israeli attacks to date.But Israel’s delegation has now insisted that Farchi was imitating a snooker hit.‘We contend that the first yellow card was incorrect and the second, which led to his sending off, stemmed from a misinterpretation by the match referee and the VAR team,’ said their head of communications Shlomi Barzel. Irish snooker legend responded with a laughing emoji after being unexpectedly dragged into the controversy over an Israeli football controversy Israel’s Sayed Abu Farchi was sent off on Thursday after appearing to mimic a gunshot His manager has leapt to his defence amid questions on the Colorado Rapids’ midfielder’s actions in the game‘Anybody familiar with Sayed Abu Farchi knows that his celebration after scoring the equaliser was in imitation of a snooker player, such as the legendary Ken Doherty for example.’ Abu Farchi protested with Bulgarian official Georgi Kabakov at the time, insisting he should have stayed on the field.But he was already on a yellow card, and Kabakov opted to show him a second booking, resulting in his dismissal.Israel manager Ran Ben-Shimon leapt to the defence of the Colorado Rapids midfielder after the game, insisting the celebration is regularly carried out by Abu Farchi without punishment.’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.’UEFA rules, meanwhile, suggest the referee was right to show a second yellow card.They say a player must be booked for ‘gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way’. Removing the corner flag is also yellow card worthy.Israel have already been a focus of attention this week with the country to face the Republic of Ireland in two matches over the current international break.The Israeli FA angrily took to social media on Monday to hit back at Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s comments when he used the word ‘genocide’ in previewing the upcoming fixtures.The Icelandic boss used forceful language in defending his team as they prepare to take the field against a side that the Football Association of Ireland wanted to have suspended from competitions.’And I’ve said before, we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide,’ he said at the weekend. ‘So, we’re playing against Israel. We’re not playing with Israel.’ Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson came under fire from the Israel FA for saying his team will be ‘playing against genocide’ this weekAs reports circulated that the Israelis were considering a complaint to UEFA, the Israeli FA posted on X on Monday night: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way,’ the post on X stated.’Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by the Republic of Ireland team coach.’We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’The matches will take place at neutral venues on Sunday and then again on October 4.Second-choice Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has pulled out of the clash and insisted he isn’t against Israelis or Jews – but against the atrocities in Gaza. After a tense day where the match was plunged into doubt, Bazunu wrote on Instagram: ‘Representing my country means everything to me.’I have the utmost respect for every single one of my teammates, the manager, his staff and the Irish people. Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from the squad for the clash with Israel’However, I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith and try my best to be a person of character and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.’My decision is based purely upon my belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition to the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.’There are few times when you get a chance in life to stand for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.’A source close to the player told The Mail on Sunday the Dubliner’s family is proud of him for standing up for his beliefs.’Gavin is a hero,’ they said. ´What he’s done took great courage. His family is proud.’