Darts referee forced to halt match to issue stern warning to unruly fans

Darts referee Huw Ware had to warn fans about their behaviour at the European Grand Prix of Darts.

During a match between Gerwyn Price and Dave Chisnall, Ware had to grab the microphone and speak to the crowd about whistling.

With the score at 3-2 to Chisnall in a race to six, the Welshman was forced to intervene.

After a quick discussion with a member of staff, he said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I just told security if you carry on whistling, please do, but you’ll be thrown out the venue immediately.

“It’s just so you know, OK?”

The response from the crowd was positive with a loud round of applause.

The match then continued, with Price winning 6-4.

The Iceman has had a great season so far and broke Chizzy’s throw to win 6-4, with the Englishman throwing to level.

Price now faces Chris Dobey in the last-16 tomorrow as he looks to claim the £30,000 winner’s prize.

He’ll likely face some stiff competition, though, with in-form Jonny Clayton still involved.

Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen is also still around with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries taking a break.

Van Gerwen saw off Michael Unterbuchner 6-2, but his fellow countryman Gian van Veen lost 6-3 to Joe Cullen in one of the bigger shocks of the day.

The other huge exit saw Gary Anderson lose 6-3 to Niko Springer and Mike De Decker also crashed out.

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Not the first time

This isn’t the first and probably won’t be the last time that Ware has had to speak to the crowd about heckling.

In March during a night in Gottingen, the Welshman had to stop Stephen Bunting‘s match against Springer.

German crowds love to support their own, but in Ware’s view, it went too far.

And during the crucial final leg decider, he stepped in and grabbed the microphone.

He said: “I’ve asked politely once and I’ll say it politely, shut up please. We’re trying to have a game of darts up here.”

Springer then won, and Bunting took to Instagram after.

In a statement, he said: “The dedication we make as dart players never gets seen. We set off from Nottingham on Friday morning 7:30am to make sure we was in Gottingen and traveled via Frankfurt and a 2 hour train to make sure we was there after a premier league night in Nottingham. 

“I have great support from my family who I’m away from constantly, from my sponsors and management and generally from 99% of the fans. 

“I never moan about defeats or cry about them but feel really hurt tonight even though it was a small minority of people.

“To boo and whistle at important times through any match isn’t acceptable and if you want to do that then go to a football match. 

“Nothing at all against @nikosp180 he played a great match but the whistling spoilt the game. Good luck to Niko for the rest of the tournament. 

“I understand why certain players don’t want to travel over here for the whistling but like I said it isn’t all the time and I love my fans especially the genuine ones in Germany. 

“Thanks guys and see you soon hopefully x I’ve had many great nights in Germany including one of my most famous ones in Berlin and I look forward to seeing all the genuine fans there for that night.”

Price or Chisnall are yet to say anything public about this one.