De Decker hits out that nothing was done to control the crowd even after he asked “Why is he just standing there?”

The behaviour of some supporters during Mike de Decker’s match against Luke Littler was a major blot on a fantastic night of darts at the Grand Slam of Darts on Thursday night.

The Belgian darts player was on his way to a brilliant victory over the 17-year-old Littler when he was distracted by some spectators’ misbehaviour. Every time De Decker took to the oche, people whistled. De Decker failed to silence the fans for good, and Littler overcame a 4-8 hole to win 10-9.

“You know the crowd is part of it, but the fans were totally unfair here. Of course I have to throw those darts in myself, but it’s really a shame,'” De Decker responded afterwards to Viaplay.

Although De Decker did his best to keep his feelings in check, an accusing finger was pointed to referee Kirk Bevins afterwards.

“If you say something about it and nothing is done about it. Then why is he just standing there? That’s what he’s a referee for, right? If we as darters do something wrong, you hear them right away. But if he won’t even use his microphone here to ask for respect. I don’t get that.”

De Decker hits out that nothing was done to control the crowd even after he asked "Why is he just standing there?"
De Decker hits out that nothing was done to control the crowd even after he asked “Why is he just standing there?” (PDC)

When the Belgian led 6-4 at the second break, he took advantage of the opportunity to request that the referee intervene. To Decker’s confusion, Bevins opted not to do anything about it.

“If you just ask him to ask for respect for both darters, suddenly you can’t do that. That doesn’t go in with me. If he had just said something, it would have been fine. Then if the fans keep going on about it, there’s nothing else you can do about it. Then I have to deal with it, but at least it has been said.”

Reporter Arjan van der Giessen then asked De Decker if he is going to file a complaint about this with the PDC  “You won’t get anywhere with that. There’s no point, because nothing happens anyway. It’s sad that this is how the world works. Apparently this is part and parcel of matches against Luke Littler. He is the poster boy of the PDC. It’s a shame, but that’s the way it is.”

Bevins said on X: “The crowd just get worse when referees address the crowd.

“John McDonald even addressed the crowd in the break once regarding this and they just get worse.

“If you see someone whistling, report it to security and get them kicked out.”