PDC referee stops match to shout at crowd as Stephen Bunting releases statement

PDC referee Huw Ware was forced to tell off the European Tour crowd in Gottingen on Saturday night.

The incident happened during Stephen Bunting‘s match with home favourite Niko Springer in Germany.

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The crowds in Germany are notoriously loud and partisan towards their own players.

Luke Littler, who had withdrawn from the event, has even said he will avoid playing there over previous incidents.

Ware was forced to step in during a crucial final leg decider between Bunting and Springer.

“I’ve asked politely once and I’ll say it politely, shut up please. We’re trying to have a game of darts up here,” said the PDC referee.

Bunting went on to be defeated by Springer during that deciding leg.

Bunting statement

The world number seven later posted on Instagram about the noise from the crowd, saying it spoiled the game.

He wrote: “The dedication we make as dart players never gets seen. We set off from Nottingham on Friday morning 7:30am to make sure we was in Gottingen and traveled via Frankfurt and a 2 hour train to make sure we was there after a premier league night in Nottingham. 

“I have great support from my family who I’m away from constantly, from my sponsors and management and generally from 99% of the fans. 

“I never moan about defeats or cry about them but feel really hurt tonight even though it was a small minority of people.

“To boo and whistle at important times through any match isn’t acceptable and if you want to do that then go to a football match. 

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“Nothing at all against @nikosp180 he played a great match but the whistling spoilt the game. Good luck to Niko for the rest of the tournament. 

“I understand why certain players don’t want to travel over here for the whistling but like I said it isn’t all the time and I love my fans especially the genuine ones in Germany. 

“Thanks guys and see you soon hopefully x I’ve had many great nights in Germany including one of my most famous ones in Berlin and I look forward to seeing all the genuine fans there for that night.”

2026 European Darts Trophy

Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen was dumped out in spectacular style by compatriot Niels Zonneveld.

The 36-year-old third seed was trounced 6-2 in the second round despite averaging 107.

There were no such problems, however, for fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen, the world number three making short work of defeating Krzysztof Ratajski 6-1.

Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock was a 6-4 winner over Paul Krohne, while Gerwyn Price beat Joe Cullen 6-2, while Richard Veenstra, Mensur Suljovic and Kevin Doets also progressed.