BARRY HEARN has told darts stars they will have to accept whistling from “total numpties” – because security staff cannot chuck out tens of thousands of fans.
Professional has been marred by high-profile incidents of fans who have whistled when the top throwers are at the oche.
Luke Littler has had several run-ins with fans over the past year Credit: Getty
Barry Hearn has offered some advice to the star of darts Credit: Getty
Twice in recent weeks in Germany referee Huw Ware has had to stop play and tell the punters to stop targeting those on the oche.
There is a good chance that individual Scousers may abuse , a loyal Manchester United fan, when he heads to Liverpool for Thursday’s Premier League night.
Littler got booed in Rotterdam as he reached the final and he is likely to get another difficult reception on Merseyside.
Hearn – whose Matchroom firm run the PDC – is confident this scourge will eventually die out but accepts that stadium personnel cannot sling out everybody.
The legendary sports promoter, 77, said: “We have to rely on people’s common sense. And sometimes that’s not there. It’s absent. But eventually it turns.
“Because people realise it’s counterproductive to the evening, which it is.
“In the meantime, the players are pros. They’ve got to get used to it. And they will do. But I don’t like it.
“The moment you say to anybody with authority don’t do something it’s a red rag to a bull – and they’ll do it ten times more.
“That’s just life. You can’t sling out 12,000 people from the Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam. Because it takes too long to get them back in again.
“You just have to rely on a bit of common sense. And sometimes that’s slow in coming.
“It’s annoying. I don’t know an answer other than look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself whether you’ve been a total numpty.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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