Sky Sports apologise to viewers as darts world No 1 Gerwyn Price makes a gesture appearing to mock the disabled after missing a 180 chance, before Welshman strolls into quarter-finals at Ally Pally
- Gerwyn Price beat Jose de Sousa 4-1 in the World Darts Championship last 16
- But despite the win Price made a gesture that forced Sky Sports into an apology
- He made a gesture that could be construed as offensive by disabled viewers
- READ: Dion Dublin downs a pint at the WDC to the delight of fans at Ally Pally
Sky Sports had to make an apology to viewers on Thursday night after a gesture that some could find offensive during his 4-1 victory over Jose de Sousa at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The Welsh No 1 seed at the World Darts Championship pulled a face and made a gesture that could be construed as offensive by some disabled viewers, following a failed 180 attempt in the fourth round clash.
Having missed a third successive triple 20 attempt, “The Iceman” turned and gesticulated in frustration, sticking his tongue behind his bottom lip and holding his hands out in front of him to signal his frustration.
The Welsh No 1 seed made a gesture that prompted an apology from broadcaster Sky Sports
Gerwyn Price saw off Portugual’s Jose de Sousa in the fourth round of the World Darts Championship
It is not the first time the WDC has courted controversy with Michael van Gerwen coming in for criticism after declining a match dart against Mensur Suljovic, and Ross Smith waving at Dirk van Duijvenbode from off-stage before losing an Ally Pally epic.
And many viewers took to Twitter to make their feelings on the Welshman’s actions clear, with one writing: ‘What was this from Price at the darts? @Gezzyprice this is disgusting behaviour! This was after he missed a shot. @SkySports this is not okay.’
A second added: ‘Never understood the dislike towards Gerwyn Price, until today. Top dart player but to have this in your locker as a reaction to a poor shot (for him) says a lot. @SkySportsDarts & OfficialPDC got to do something, brand damaging doesn’t even cover it.’
And a third viewer said: ‘This man has children and as a famous sportsperson supposed to be a role model for other children. Disgraceful behaviour and if I hear correctly it was literally just because he missed a 180 – not acceptable.’
“The Iceman” will next face either Gabriel Clemens or Alan Soutar in the last eight at Ally Pally
Price completed a comfortable win over De Sousa to book his place in the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
The Welsh world number one averaged just over 94 and hit eight 180s to move into the last eight as he targets a repeat of his 2021 success.
“The Iceman”, who beat five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 4-0 in the last round, will next face either Gabriel Clemens or Alan Soutar.
‘I ground out a win. I just wanted to get up there and win, it doesn’t matter about the performance,’ Price told a press conference broadcast by PDC media.
Price was a former Rugby Union and Rugby League player before focusing on his darts career
‘It was just one of those games where I had to get over the winning line, and that is what I did.
‘I was battling against myself and against him, but it is what it is – you come up against certain players and circumstances, so you just have to deal with it.
‘I felt comfortable through the game and always felt I was going to win, it was just a matter of time.’
Elsewhere on Thursday, Northern Irish darts sensation Josh Rock saw his tournament ended by Jonny Clayton.
The 21-year-old fell to a 4-3 defeat to the Welshman as his dream debut at the competition came to an end at the fourth round.
Josh Rock’s dream debut at the World Darts Championship came to an end in the fourth round
He had hit 13 180s in the previous round to dump tenth seed Nathan Aspinall out of the WDC in a stunning victory, but was unable to replicate the feat.
‘I am delighted,’ Clayton said after the game. ‘Josh is an up-and-coming star. He is fantastic. What a nice guy and what a player.
‘I had to do a job and I did it. That’s all I can say. Hopefully I can get to the end.’
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