POWER TO CHARGE BARADA?

Jonathon Power is considering making an official complaint against Ahmed Barada for causing the injury to his right knee that could have put the Canadian world number two out of the Hong Kong Open.

This would be the first time in the history of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) that one player has brought a charge against another. With Power ranked at two and Barada at three in the PSA (world) rankings, there are other considerations at stake.

The incident occurred during their semi-final match at the Al Ahram International Championships 2000 being played on a glass court erected in front of the Pyramids. Power had won the first game and with Barada leading the second 13-10, the Egyptian lunged for a ball at the front of the court and his trailing leg took first Power's left leg and then his right leg from under him, leaving Power flat on his back clutching his right knee in pain. The referee felt that it was accidental and Barada suffered no penalty. He won the game and from the beginning of third it was obvious that Power was having trouble, with his knee constantly giving way. He retired with the score at 7-6.

Barada vehemently denied any contact between the two. Unfortunately three years ago Barada charged Peter Nicol and took his legs from under him leaving Nicol with two 'dead' legs, an action that earned Barada world-wide condemnation. Since that time Barada's behaviour on court has been impeccable.

Slow motion video evidence shows clearly that Barada lunged, his right foot slipped and his trailing left leg made contact with Power's legs. Referee Bruce Kettle viewed the videotape and felt there was no absolute case for deliberate contact.

For the PSA's part they have to consider the delicate situation that exists; Egypt is putting vast amounts of money into staging major squash tournaments and Barada is their one world sporting star. Any complaint and subsequent penalty could have dire consequences.

At press time Power has still decide whether to go ahead with his complaint after being advised of the possible ramifications. First diagnosis of the Power knee was that he would be out for three weeks and last night he had decided to pull out of the Hong Kong Open. This morning another specialist said that the bruised ligament could be ready in a week and Power had decided to travel to Hong Kong for his first match next Wednesday. Baradalost to Scotland's Peter Nicol in tonight's men's final.

• Golestan Radwan: Egypt
• Tomas Barva, Czech Republic
• David Blick, Alaska USA
• Kim Tunney: Midwest USA
• Andre Maur: Atlanta USA
• Paul Ansdell: Massachusetts USA
  

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