LONDON, Nov 8: Jahangir Khan, the ten times former British Open champion who has just been made president of the World Squash Federation, Friday announced an investigation into the sending-off of a referee during last week’s US$120,000 Qatar Classic in Doha.
This means Jahangir’s presidency will plunge straight into one of the biggest controversies for many years, for the decision to remove Harvey Bowlt, a South African official, appears to have broken the sport’s regulations.
These state that a player may not request a change of referee and yet Australia’s David Palmer, who had just had a penalty stroke awarded against him during his semifinal with John White, was clearly heard demanding the removal of Bowlt.
“Whilst it is clear from the established rules of squash that players are mot permitted to request a change of marker or referee, we have requested reports from all parties involved so that the issue can be resolved as soon as possible,” commented Jahangir.
One of those reports will come from Robert Edwards, the tournament referee who removed Bowlt and who in the process appeared to be acceding to Palmer’s demand.
Edwards may argue that his was an independent decision following a WSF guideline allowing a tournament referee to replace a match referee if it improves the officiating of a match.
“The decision was totally my own,” claimed Edwards, although he was certainly seen to consult, amongst others, with Palmer. “I was aware that players can’t ask for a referee to be changed when I walked out there.
“There are questions which have to be asked and there will have to changes. But there’s a lot that can’t be divulged until my report and those of others have been considered.”
The incident was complicated by the fact that Palmer is President of the Professional Squash Association, the players’ governing body which runs the men’s tour.
Recently the WSF said it intended to take seriously criticisms made by leading members of the International Olympic Committee of player behaviour during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in August.
However the WSF is not thought to have yet issued any directives on the matter.—AFP