Professional darts is facing a growing debate over crowd etiquette, with a top player calling for severe punishments for fans who deliberately disrupt matches. The issue centres on the high-pitched whistling that can put players off during crucial throws, a problem distinct from the usual raucous singing and chanting that defines the sport's atmosphere.
A Call for Severe Punishment
Nathan Aspinall, a leading figure on the PDC circuit, has proposed that spectators caught whistling should face bans lasting up to five years. He argues that the standard at the top of the game is so fine that a single missed dart, potentially caused by a distraction, can decide an entire match.
In an interview with The Sun, Aspinall stated his belief that ejection from the venue is not enough. He suggested that a long-term ban would serve as a genuine deterrent. "I think the people that get caught shouldn’t just get kicked out, they should get banned for say five years," Aspinall said. He hopes that such a policy would create a ripple effect, with banned fans warning others not to repeat their mistake.
The Referee's Dilemma
Meanwhile, elite referee Huw Ware, who officiated last year's World Darts Championship final, has spoken openly about the challenges of managing different crowds. He told Metro that his approach varies depending on the tournament, the venue, and the general "vibe" of the audience.
Ware explained that at some events, like the Grand Slam of Darts, he feels confident addressing issues directly over the microphone because the crowd is knowledgeable and attentive. However, in larger arenas hosting the Premier League or the World Championship, a "mob mentality" can take over. In these situations, a public announcement can sometimes exacerbate the problem, causing whistling to spread rather than stop.
"I might turn around on the microphone and say, 'stop whistling'. And they might. You might get lucky," Ware said. "But then someone else will start over there. And then someone else... Then all of a sudden, you’ve got a bigger problem."
Handling Incidents Behind the Scenes
Ware revealed that referees often work discreetly with security to identify and remove offenders without escalating the situation on stage. He cited an example from the current tournament involving player Luke Woodhouse. Instead of using the microphone, he alerted a security guard near the stage, who confirmed they were already searching for the culprit.
Ware was keen to stress that referees universally despise the whistling. "All of us referees, I can tell you, we all hate it," he asserted. He explained that if officials appear to be ignoring an issue, it is a tactical choice to avoid giving the whistle-blower the attention they seek, which can sometimes cause them to stop.
Despite the high-profile concerns, Ware noted that whistling has not been a major issue in the ongoing tournament, apart from the isolated incident during Woodhouse's first-round match. He praised the overall behaviour of fans so far, describing the atmosphere as "quite good."
The discussion highlights the ongoing tension in darts between maintaining its uniquely lively, party-like atmosphere and ensuring fair sporting conditions where players are not unfairly disadvantaged by deliberate crowd interference.
