Squash’s officiating body has said that one of its referees was subjected to a “physical threat” during the controversial match between Diego Elias and Mostafa Asal at the El Gouna Squash 2026.
The incident followed the contentious decision to penalise home favourite Asal for a stroke and conduct point in the latter stages of Elias’ 3-2 win and comes soon after the Optasia incident where the tournament sponsor voiced his opinion at officials.
World Squash Officiating (WSO) said that it “condemned in the strongest possible terms” the incident involving WSO referee Andrea Santamaria and a supporter in the crowd. It is reported that the person is an elderly male.
“After administering a stroke against Asal during the match for breaching rule 14.6.3 ‘Unacceptable Player Conduct – Unnecessary Physical Contact’ and then a further conduct stroke for an accumulation of movement offences throughout that rally, Andrea was subjected to a physical threat from a spectator in the aftermath of the match.
“Referees must be able to do their jobs without fear of violence. Disagreeing with a decision has never, and will never, justify threatening behaviour of any kind from players, coaches, or spectators alike.”
The WSO said it fully stood behind Santamaria’s decision which subsequently saw Asal lose his first match since October.
It added: “We will work closely with PSA and tournament organisers to ensure the individual responsible is identified and is prevented from attending PSA events in the future.
“We are grateful to the work of the security team on the ground in El Gouna who ensure the safety of our referees.”
Meanwhile, Egyptian Squash Federation also issued a statement backing Asal following the refereeing decisions “to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to supporting all its players, emphasizing that their interests and well-being remain a top priority both on and off the court, with a clear focus on protecting their rights and advancing their professional careers.”