Sportsmanship storm erupts in controversial darts final
Gerwyn Price has been roundly booed by fans after winning his first darts major with an upset victory over Gary Anderson in a controversial final.
Price became the first Welsh winner of the grand slam of darts but only after what many believed was poor sportsmanship.
Following up on his tactics from the quarter-final against Australia’s Simon Whitlock, Price used over-the-top celebrations to rattle Anderson.
He repeatedly stood in the way of his Scottish opponent, who mouthed off – both under his breath and to his face – on more than one occasion.
“I’m throwing my darts, he needs to wait for his turn. He doesn’t like it when it’s a little bit up him, so unlucky,” Price said of the controversy.
“I knew when he beat Michael (Van Gerwen) that I was going to beat him. Simple. He can’t handle playing me. He just moans every time that I’m doing this, doing that. Concentrate on your own game.”
Price, a former rugby player, won eight of the last 10 legs to win the final 16-13 – and pocket nearly AU$200,000 in the process.
With Anderson having already walked off stage, boos rained down on the Welshman as he accepted his trophy.
“Sometimes the crowd is with you, sometimes it’s against you,” Price said.
“If it’s against you, you have to feed off that. This week, maybe two or three times, they were against me (but) it makes me play better. So next time, boo a little bit more.”
“I’m loving it playing on that stage against the best players in the world. Five or six years ago I was a rugby player, and now I’m pinching money from the professionals’ pockets.”
Fairs haha. I thought Price played a blinder hah. Worst sportsmanship I even seen though. Still Gary should be able to take it been in the game long enough now but yeah great entertainment 🤣
— Aidan (@ShaqSkill23) November 18, 2018
No sportsmanship from Price at all tonight. No respect for opponents at all. Celebrating in someone's face and then preventing them throwing. Absolute disgraceful end to what was a good tournament @OfficialPDC . #GrandSlamOfDarts #bwinDarts #LoveTheDarts
— Marc Jowett (@marc_jowett) November 18, 2018
Darts is heading in the wrong direction with players like Price. Totally ruined the enjoyment of watching the final. There is no need for clear and obvious bad sportsmanship. I hope that's the first and last time we see Gerwyn Price in a final.
— Martin Streeter (@mgspim) November 18, 2018
No sportsmanship from Price at all tonight. No respect for opponents at all. Celebrating in someone's face and then preventing them throwing. Absolute disgraceful end to what was a good tournament @OfficialPDC . #GrandSlamOfDarts #bwinDarts #LoveTheDarts
— Marc Jowett (@marc_jowett) November 18, 2018
Gerwyn Price. Bad sportsmanship, rude and arrogant!!!!
— Julie woodworth (@Woodworth183) November 18, 2018
@PDCDarts That Grand slam final was bloody awful to watch. What the hell sportsmanship was that. Price didn't even go to shake Gary's hand he was too busy celebrating. That was all about Prices antics and not the darts. Hated it
— Alyson Bush (@al_y_cartes) November 18, 2018
Gerwyn price celebrates hitting a treble, Something a amateur darts player would do. Anderson celebrates the way he does when he hits a nine darter. It’s actually embarrassing to celebrate every throw. Then the arrogance of him after. Definitely the Sergio Ramos of darts 🎯
— Jordan Smith (@Jordann99x) November 18, 2018
The final capped off a contentious week of darts in Wolverhampton.
In addition to Price’s controversial acts, Anderson and opponent Wesley Harms accused each other of farting during play.