Gerwyn Price has complained to fellow 'Iceman' about abuse from darts crowds

June 29, 2024

Gerwyn Price has complained to the darts players’ union and the PDC about the repeated abuse he receives from crowds.

The Iceman has been subjected to boos and heckles at certain events for years but things came to a head at the recent World Championship at Alexandra Palace, where he took the drastic step of wearing ear-defenders for a set during his quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Clemens

After the match, Price hit out at fans on social media and said he may boycott the Worlds in the future. He has since doubled down on that threat in an interview ahead of the Bahrain Darts Masters, which culminates today (Friday).

The 37-year-old has made his feelings known to darts officialdom by going to the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) and the PDC.

Player-turned-pundit Alan Warriner-Little is the CEO of the PDPA. He revealed during ITV’s coverage of the Bahrain Masters that Price has contacted him about the abuse he is subjected to, at Ally Pally in particular. But the former World Champion Prix winner admits there is little he can do.

“Gezzy does kop it more than any other player and he’s always on to me and the PDC about doing something about it,” said Warriner-Little, who was also nicknamed The Iceman during his career.

“We try and do that we can but what can we do to stop 4-5,000 people? We have advertisements during the break [in play] about respecting the players when they’re throwing.

“You feel for him sometimes but I almost feel I can’t do anything, and it’s hard to say that to him.

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“But that’s why he took the ear-defenders, probably making a statement. He feels he kops it more than most and nothing is being done about it.”

Warriner-Little did suggest one way Price could deal with stick from crowds.

“I almost think he’s got to try and turn it around,” he added. “Come out with the earmuffs on and take them off when he’s throwing. People will still boo him but in a pantomime villain sort of way.”

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