Gerwyn Price threatens to boycott World Darts Championship after wearing ear defenders in Quarter-Final exit
Gerwyn Price has threatened to boycott the World Darts Championship in future years after resorting to wearing ear defenders during his Quarter-Final defeat to Gabriel Clemens.
Price was thrashed 5-1 by an inspired Clemens at Alexandra Palace on New Year’s Day, ending his hopes of a second world title in the space of three years.
More than 700 partisan German fans were inside a sold-out Ally Pally to support their top tungsten talisman, and in an unprecedented attempt to block out the noise, Price returned from the interval at 3-1 down wearing a set of ear defenders.
The move, however, did little to change the Welshman’s fortunes as Clemens claimed the next two sets to wrap up a comprehensive win and continue his ground-breaking run into the Semi-Finals.
Within minutes of departing the stage, Price took to Instagram to air his frustration, posting: ‘So frustrating you play all year round preparing for this one tournament. So gutted I wasn’t let play but good luck everyone left in. Not sure I will ever play in this event again.’
He has since suspended his Instagram account and is next due to compete in the inaugural Bahrain Darts Masters from January 12-13.
The defeat also sees Price surrender the world number one spot and slip to fourth in the Order of Merit, his lowest end of season ranking since 2018.
According to the PDC, Price applied for and received permission to wear ear defenders under rule 5.17.2: ‘No headgear…shall be worn without the prior permission of the promoter’.
Gerwyn Price gives his immediate reaction on Instagram 📲#WorldDartsChampionship pic.twitter.com/wYRaojP1Ls
— Live Darts (@livedarts) January 1, 2023
LATEST DARTS FREE BET OFFERS (18+ | T&Cs apply | Gamble Aware)
