PSA To Roll Out Video Review For All TV Events
by Howard Harding
8 September 2011-
After extensive trials at recent major PSA World Tour events, the
Professional Squash Association is rolling out its Video Review system
at all future televised events, from the PSA World Series Rowe British
Grand Prix in Manchester later this month.
The system allows match officials to review decisions (eg, 'Let',
'Stroke' or 'No Let') questioned by the players, via TV action replays
viewed by a fourth official, the Video Referee.
Players are allowed one appeal per game, which remains live following a
successful appeal. In the event of a game moving into a tie-break, each
player has his single TV appeal opportunity renewed.
The replay of the incident is played on a large screen - with the decision then flashed up on the screen for all to see.
"Following the successful trials at the Canary Wharf Classic in London
and last month's Australian Open, we are delighted to be introducing
Video technology at all our future PSA televised events," explained PSA
COO Lee Beachill.
"Video technology is used in most of today's high profile sports and we
don't feel squash should be any different. We are now filming and
producing squash to a level where this technology is available to our
officials and, after consultation with referees and players, it has
been decided that it should now be used wherever possible.
"The Australian Open was a resounding success, with fantastic crowd
participation and far less player/official dialogue," added Beachill.
"We are confident that this will continue to improve the spectator
experience at our major events."
The Rowe British Grand Prix - Manchester 2011, the fourth of the nine
PSA World Series championships in 2011, will take place at the National
Squash Centre in Manchester from 19-25 September.