US Squash's Statement Regarding Galifi and The PST
US Squash CEO Kevin Klipstein
November 9, 2012
US Squash today issued the following:
U.S. SQUASH's priority is to uphold the reputation of squash as a clean sport with a strong anti-doping record.
U.S. SQUASH feels that it is not appropriate to allow a player who is currently serving their second suspension for drug use to compete in any professional competition during the period of their formal suspension.
Stephane Galifi is currently serving a two-year ban following positive testing for drug use by the World Squash Federation (WSF), and is not permitted to participate in professional competition until the suspension period ends in December 2013.
This is Mr. Galifi's second suspension for testing positive to drug use - in 2005 he was also banned for testing positive to the use of cocaine and cannabis.
U.S. SQUASH was advised by the WSF that they had been in contact with the organization Pro Squash Tour (PST) after being notified that PST planned to allow Mr. Galifi to compete in their events despite his second drug suspension.
U.S. SQUASH informed our relevant member clubs of the status of Mr. Galifi’s drug record and suspension, so that they could make their own decision on whether to allow him to compete at their club.
We also contacted the PST and urged them to consider the damaging effect that allowing a player to compete despite a drug suspension would have on the reputation of squash overall, and suggested that they reconsider for the good of everyone involved in our sport.
Nicol David and Nick Matthew are currently campaigning for the 'Say No to Doping' campaign run by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and in Nick's own words: 'If one person lets us down, the whole sport suffers.
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