More Punishment for Palmer?
Feb 1, 2005, by Martin Bronstein in London, SquashTalk,
SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

PSA Said to Be Considering Action following WSF Sanctions

David Palmer - A brilliant but sometimes volcanic competitor (Photo © 2005 by Debra Tessier)

Australia’s David Palmer rose one place in the latest PSA rankings issued today, but that may be all the good news he’s had since he got married in Australia on January 8. Since that happy day, he has learned that the World Squash Federation (WSF) have banned him for a year from all WSF tournaments as a punishment for his behaviour at the World Doubles Championships in Pakistan last December.

After one match he is alleged to have continually verbally abused the referee as well as damaging equipment. Palmer has always been known for having a volcanic temper but in recent years seemed to have it under control. His behaviour on court since reaching the top three has been almost impeccable. But in Pakistan he was unable to maintain that control with disastrous results.

The question that worries him now is the whether he will be allowed to play in the World Open later this year now that the WSF have acquired ownership of that event.

Although all world championships have always been under WSF supervision, the men’s World Open had come into being when the game went open. This arrangement ended last week with the announcement that WSF has brought it into line with other world championship events. However, through a lease-back sort of arrangement, the PSA` will still run it.

This left Palmer wondering whether the WSF still holds jurisdiction over the men’s open or whether the PSA will have full control and will administer their own rules and discipline.

But there is more bad news for the lanky Australian who has won the British Open, the World Open and held the number one ranking in previous years: The PSA are now considering whether they should also penalize Palmer for his breaking of the conduct rules. If they do, he could miss out on the Super Series finals in May as well as other major tournaments later in the year.

The WSF promise to make a statement later this week regarding their position on Palmer’s status for the men’s open. Lawyers are being consulted to ensure that their decision does not leave them open to a lawsuit from Palmer. The PSA board are also treading very carefully before casting their vote.

Meanwhile Palmer will be playing in the Tournament of Champions in New York starting on Feb 19 and is also due to play in the eight-man invitation ISS Canary Wharf Classic a month later.

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