SQUASH. Asal called a SPOILED BRAT in heated exchange with PSA players

Mostafa Asal has recently claimed the World #1 spot at just 21 years old. But the controversy surrounding him is still there.
Last week the Egyptian really got into it online with Lucas Serme and Victor Crouin. Following the younger Frenchmen's interview, Asal responded in his interview and eventually Serme joined them with some hefty accusations.

[@michaelmitchell8567]

What an Asal!

[@leowaters2788]

From a viewer's perspective, watching matches involving Asal isn't particularly enjoyable, despite the talent on display. There are many stoppages, arguments with the ref, dubious blocking movements etc - in a word not flowing squash. I'd rather watch other players.

[@johnparkinson2666]

he can start by not hitting someone with the ball on a simple turning play when a safety let was the obvious thing to do. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

[@KaneAL9]

like he did that on purpose so he could get himself disqualified you 🤡

[@ahmedmoosa2001]

Wen the fool sits in the middle of the court after playing a weak shot...like an amateur...he deserves a whacking...

[@timSquash]

so im guessing youve never done that when playing league i suppose?

[@mjc3086]

Victor just stated facts, Asal responded like a crybaby...

[@pumkinwhy]

No lies detected..

[@fineart10]

This guy do not deserved be in squash circuit... Is totally crazy... And dangerous

[@mattpeterson6571]

Asal is a total flog and is a total embarrassment to the sport. Waiting for Elias to beat him and take the #1 spot. Elias is a much more deserving player of the #1 spot. Crouin is spot on and the VAST majority of the players and fans are sick of the dangerous play and exaggerated antics of this clown. Anyday he is beaten is a good day!!

[@fanatamon]

Yeh he is tough work.

[@us-Bahn]

There it is, at 1:05, the French pronunciation of Crouin: “croo-ahhn-onnh” . Easy.

[@captainzork6109]

Whatever comes out of this, its good that people are expressing themselves. Its better to clear up the air, rather than talking about each other behind their backs

[@squashum778]

Social media , great isn’t it.

[@GG-gk7jn]

Asal got 6 weeks suspension and a fine. PSA has rules, you break those you get sanctioned. No conspiracy here…

[@martelbaek6660]

It's really a shame. Asal has so much to offer, so much power in his game, the way he carried his big frame around the corners. What a shame.

[@ngzijian14]

what about the tarek momen and asal drama 😆

[@squash7days]

That could be a full Netflix series. 😉

[@hamaja18]

What happened?

[@delsol1967]

The shame is not in Asal choosing to be a brat rather than concentrating on his ability. The shame is in letting Asal taint and destroy the game!

[@M0odez]

I've always given Asal the benefit of the doubt, because his squash and athleticism are hugely impressive, and should be good for the game. It would be a shame to lose that. I think the biggest problem is the rest of the community decided way too quickly that Asal was bad for squash, and that nothing would change that, without giving him a chance. Despite a noticeable improvement from a few years ago I'd say the vast majority of those who I interact with online will not give him any credit and still want him out of squash.

[@martelbaek6660]

Have you played the game? If he were a club player, he would be banned from setting foot on the squash court. I know most of pro players block, but Asal is singular. He has put other players in danger on purpose. PSA needs to clean things up.

[@M0odez]

@@martelbaek6660 Yes, played in UK leagues for years. Seen *way* worse than Asal: swearing at refs, broken rackets, players storming off etc. To be honest it's no big deal because that player loses and then when the adrenaline's worn off the captain just has a word, people apologise, and everyone has a beer. At club level people have an understanding that we don't all have the mindset of a professional sportsman and can forgive each other for the odd unpleasant moment.

[@martelbaek6660]

@@M0odez You've been there. So, I give you credence. However, his plays are dangerous and caused injuries to opponents and himself. As a comsumer of the sport, it is off-putting. I wish the governing body would change how the game is managed so that intentional threats, albeit in a covert manner, to injure opponents would not decide outcomes of tournaments. It's a shame that Asal, given all his talents, is throwing muck on this wonderful game.

[@NewYorkerPEACE]

@@M0odez ASAL CHEATS AND IS SHADY PERSON THAT GETS PEOPLE INJURED. WTF DON'T RAISE CHILDREN.

[@yaphonghor4409]

A brat is a brat...one can be aggressive but not to the extend of hurt another player when winning a match is not the only thing!

[@viningwolff7781]

He is an immense talent. But some of his antics border on comical (the whole spin away against Diego before the was contact) and then infuriating in way he blocks/ (watch mosaad, rooney and willstrop as bigger dudes). the beast was/is brash but he isn't... trying for the correct word... petulant? he is the new Power without the wit. (Power was also like Asal but he didn't go out of his way to bully people as much). we need characters to sell the sport but he seems off putting at times

[@marksullivan3424]

It’s good for the game in one sense, because it adds controversy and here we are taking about. Personally can’t stand Asal, but you can’t deny his talent. Hopefully he matures as he gets older. I’d love it if Jonathon Power or Jon White came up in this time, can you imagine how either of those guys would react to some of Asal’s antics. Asal would get slapped, something that clearly hasn’t happened enough in his life

[@martelbaek6660]

Power in his prime and Asal. I would give anything to see them play and hear what Jon has to say. JP has the quickest wit in sports.

[@9267reps]

Headline should be Asal - legal to illegal moves!! It is not even a new skill or a welcome to the century moves! - Asal purposely made those moves to disadvantage the opponent, fulls stop. He should be stopped and no less....it is not a skill, its a cheating skill ! He can win (and he does) by avoiding these stupid moves hes created or hes the one in danger of being banned!!!

[@squash4life908]

Asal is for sure talented but he does his antics too but its really a shame to see that no player has respect for Asal

[@michael.forkert]

He hit Joel Makin’s head intentionally with his racquet, and nothing happened. Right Mr. Justifier?!!

[@ignacioewert7458]

Asal must be ban for competing. His behaviour is against the spirit of the game. A real nightmare this guy.

[@excellentyouboober]

While I don't like Asal for all the reasons others don't, what Lucas said about waiting on Asal to ask how he's doing turned out to be a complete gaffe, and a point to Asal :D This is quite a unique perspective into the drama of behind the squash scenes, very much appreciated content. Would definitely watch more of this kind of episodes, however, I'd recommend working on making the script shorter! 10+ minutes a piece is quite a lot!

[@squash7days]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind next time. :)

[@damon123jones]

Asal doesnt care...thsts why he is tops

[@AdamPatterson-zs5ne]

Love to see how the whole world is judged now by your posts on social media. At face value I don’t like what I see. But every other sport would have Asal receive some media coaching before he ‘chose’ his words. He is a competitor. Clearly without any media training.

[@FinancialFreebo]

All Asal is thinking about is how he has reached #1 with all of his dirty play and bs antics. It gives him reinforcement that everything he is doing is great. His father pumps it in his head that he is the greatest and referees and players are just haters. The only way change is going to happen is if the PSA steps in and handles it. When you look at the flow of $$ into the sport, I doubt the PSA has the balls to do anything serious...

[@caradaly1661]

If you’re from Ireland, Asal means donkey/ass in Irish. Seems fitting 🤒🤠

[@graemestewart7752]

Asal and his dad are devisive. An amazing player for sure. But I come down on the side that they're cheats. Very good mouthy cheats.

[@adrie79]

I met Mostafa Asal personally at the Vitagen Singapore Squash Open last week. To be honest, he is the nicest athlete compared to the other athletes. He's very humble and friendly, which is the opposite of how he is normally portrayed by others.

[@tboy10301]

The problem with squash is it’s ego, and asal is trying to destroy that. “Disrespect to the game” is really humbling it. One thing urban squash taught me was to stop dancing like a bunch of fairies and harden our bodies for longevity. I come from taking straight drives to the chest and eating it. Getting ran through for a drop. It ain’t that bad. This is why ashour retired so early. No skin in the game. Your (an older squash player) body is a glass cannon because it remains untouched. Tactical fouling is a part of plenty of sports, and is what makes squash different from other raquet sports. Asal is taking it a step further by essentially finding a way to foul defensively. He’s the small forward in a league full of point guards.

[@squashduos1258]

All are in the wrong imho. Asal for being a immature loud mouth attracting haters and haters for being jealous of his undoubtedly incredible dominance on court….I am not a big Asal fan from a stylistic perspective but he could perhaps be one of those rare phenoms we have witnessed in the past barring any injuries (he is a big fella)…

[@martelbaek6660]

Only if he were playing across a net.

[@antonybateson9060]

@Martel Baek lol ... exactly ... maybe muzzled too!