Malaysian Chris Foo has been handed the unenviable task of officiating tonight's potentially-explosive second-round match between Australia's Anthony Hill and Pakistan's Mir Zaman Gul on Court Nine. Foo, who is one of the few international referees in Asia, was appointed to handle the 'referee's nightmare' match by tournament referee Bob Lloyd. Hill and Mir have both been in trouble by the authorities for disciplinary reasons in the past and the pair achieved notoriety two years ago in an infamous head-butting case at the British Open. Hill was also banned for three months for aggressive behaviour during last November's World Open and is still banned from playing for his country until November, 1997. The Australian world number nine could face another fine from the Professional Squash Association (PSA) after receiving a conduct warning for verbal abuse during his first round victory over England's Mark Chaloner on Tuesday night. Hong Kong organisers will send a letter to the PSA with their report of the incident and it is understood that fines exceeding GBP500 will automatically incur Hill a one-year ban. Tournament director Marlene Lee was confident Foo would acquit himself well in the match that all referees dread. She described Foo as a highly-respected international referee who had plenty of experience in Asia and added that Foo knows the players very well. 'I think he's an excellent choice,' she said. 'Refereeing is the most difficult part of the tournament but I think Chris will do an excellent job.' Lloyd said Foo was chosen through the process of elimination as he has only three international referees at his disposal. 'Chris Clark, Chris Foo and Fahim Gul are our international referees. Chris Clark refereed Hill's opening match while Gul is Pakistani and we would rather have a referee of neutral nationality,' he said. 'Foo is very experienced and has refereed matches at the British Open and the Australian Open. He's one of our regulars and I'm very confident he'll do well.'
