The Asian Squash Federation has imposed a six-month ban on Pakistani squash player Mehwish Ali after she made an obscene gesture toward her opponent during the Asian Junior Squash Championship.

 

The incident took place after Mehwish lost her pre-quarterfinal match against a player from Hong Kong. Following the defeat, she not only made an inappropriate gesture but also refused to shake hands with her opponent, violating the sport's code of conduct.

 

The disciplinary action highlights the importance of sportsmanship and respectful behavior in international competitions.

 

A similar controversy occurred in 2023 when Russian tennis star Karen Khachanov received a warning during the Australian Open for making a racially and politically sensitive gesture. 

 

He wrote a message on camera related to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, which triggered an inquiry. Although Khachanov did not face a ban, his actions were criticized globally as an attempt to bring politics into the sporting arena.