Bermuda resident David Palmer has been slapped with a 13-month ban by the World Squash Federation (WSF) after losing his temper big style last month, smashing racquets and furniture at the World Doubles Championship.

The world number four, who trained here last year ahead of the start of the pro tour, will still be eligible to play in April?s Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters as the ban only applies to the World Games, World team championship and next year?s World Doubles.

Palmer, who played one of the best games in squash history against Jonathon Power in last year?s Bermuda Open semi-finals, was handed the ban following the unsavoury incidents after the semi-finals of the World Doubles Championship in Chennai, India.

Top seeded with Anthony Ricketts in the event, Palmer was cited for behaviour problems revolving around a disputed referee call at matchpoint when he is said to have shouted abuse at referee Mohammed Fayyaz, then to have come off court and tried to smash various pieces of furniture with his racquet before going to the tournament office and continuing in a similar manner. He was charged with dissent, verbal abuse and racquet abuse.

A WSF Disciplinary Panel found Palmer guilty of breaching five articles of the Disciplinary Code, specifically:

verbally abusing the referee and officials;

showing dissent to the referee, including foul and abusive language;

abusing playing equipment;

not complying with the spirit of the game;

exhibiting unreasonable conduct which brought the game into disrepute.

Palmer was forced to forfeit his prize money of $2050 and was banned from WSF sanctioned events until January 31, 2006.

But Ross Triffitt, Bermuda?s director of squash and Tournament Director for the $120,000 showpiece event here in April, is backing the local resident.

?David is an excellent squash player and has also been a great ambassador for the sport and for Bermuda in recent years,? said Triffit.

?We respect the decision of the World Squash Federation to punish David in this manner but it will not affect his participation in the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters.

?It was clear last year during the Bermuda Open that the crowd were behind David and treated him like a local. I expect they will do the same again this time around.

?We look forward to welcoming him, and the other 30 best players in the world, to the Island soon for what promises to be a fantastic week of squash.?

Local teenager Robbie Maycock finished third in the recent junior Czech Open, one of the premier events on the junior tour. In recent weeks the youngster, one of the best to come out of the Bermuda junior programme, has also finished fourth in the Irish Open and reached the quarter-finals of the US Junior Open.