DOHA – World No.1 Mostafa Asal has called for a summit meeting between the sport’s top players and referees over the current impasse and controversies on court – but refused to apologise for the hand grab misdemeanours which blighted his quarter-final win at the Qatar Classic.
A day after his brace of controversial post-match interviews, Asal was interviewed on Squash TV where he attempted to clarify the incident, which came with the Egyptian star leading 2-0 and 7-5 up in the third.
Asal said it was “completely unintentional” where he tripped into Aly Abou Eleinen’s feet and believed his ankle “was going to twist”.
The Egyptian admitted that he grabbed Eleinen’s arm for balance, before he raised his hands, as he is known to do.
“I couldn’t explain to the ref in the heat of the moment,” said Asal.
“I was completely out of balance. I played a deceptive shot and Aly was going the other way.
“There is no need for those stupid things. Maybe people are angry, it looks bad on TV. I was in shock afterwards. I was 2-0 and 7-5 up, why would I do those things?”
Asal refused to apologise on air, although he admitted it was right to “highlight” the incident.
The Egyptian, chasing his first Qatar Classic title, is clearly of a belief that he is not solely to blame for the state of play at the top of the game.
Rather like the drivers’ meetings in F1, Asal has called for a summit with “the top 20 players” to “get the sport into the best shape as possible” ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics.
“The problem came from us first, then the referees. We have to meet to fix the problem,” he added.
“We have to speak and face ourselves. No one is speaking with each other.”
A host of players spoke out over Tuesday’s incident, while his last eight opponent also addressed the moment and called for PSA disciplinary action.
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It is abundantly clear, however, that whatever referee edicts come through each season, there is little change when it comes to player conduct on tour.
This may take an independent body to come in and speak to players, rather than PSA hierarchy, to change the current narrative. The situation will not change overnight and it could take a tournament ban to make the players’ realise what is at stake.