The Lakeside World Darts Championship had two players see red and we’re not talking about the dart board.
The irate confrontation ensued after the last-32 match between Jarno Bottenberg and Ryan Hogarth.
Hogarth had taken the lead in the match, starting with a 13-darter before back-to-back ton finishes of 114 and 111.
His lead didn’t last long, as Bottenberg built on his victory over Matthew Edgar with a 3-0 second-set win, before taking the third 3-1 through two 16-darters.
Seeded player Hogarth’s frustrations grew in the fourth set, which Bottenberg won three legs in.
Their back and forth had not begun at the end of the match, but tempers did flare upon Bottenberg’s victory.
Bottenberg hit the winning double to win 3-1, and as is customary he went to shake Hogath’s hand.
Hogarth wasn’t having any of it at first, initially denying to offer his hand.
The pair eventually shook hands but the tension didn’t diffuse.
Bottenberg thanked the officials whilst Hogarth continued his rant and even pushed his opponent as he made his way off stage.
At the time, the commentator said: “He [Hogarth] is not happy, he believes there was some encroachment along the way.
“The session ends with needle on stage. Hogarth furious.”
Fans were not impressed with Hogarth’s antics, with one saying: “No need to be pushing or even touching your opponent other than to shake hands.”
Another called for Hogarth to be punished saying: “Clear push. Action needs to be taken against Hogarth.”
One fan said: “Poor from Hogarth there. I get he must’ve been frustrated from being 1 up and then losing but shouldn’t be shoving your opponent after the match.”
Another said: “Fine him, absolute melt. No need to put his hands on someone bad loser.”
Bottenberg will face tournament favourite Jimmy Van Schie or Bjorn Lejon in the last 16.
In the women’s section, Beau Greaves, who has opted to defend her Lakeside title rather than compete at the PDC World Championship, began her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Kirsi Viinikainen.
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Highlights include:
Greaves, 20, who topped the PDC Women’s Series, had to choose as players aren’t permitted to play in both World Championships.
The winner of the men’s tournament will pocket £50,000, with the runner-up collecting £16,000.
The women’s section carries a top prize of £25,000, with £8,000 going to the losing finalist.
It has been a controversial week for darts after prodigy Leighton Bennett was handed an eight-year ban.
Bennett was found guilty of fixing four matches by the Darts Regulation Authority.
The 18-year-old, who won the BDO World Youth Championship in 2019, was also found guilty of failing to assist the investigation and signing a contract with an unregistered agent.
Bennett also had to pay a £8,100 fine.
He has until December 14 to appeal the findings of the DRA’s Disciplinary Committee.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) was alerted to the case when they reported suspicious betting on four of Bennett’s matches at a Modus Super Series event in September last year.
