Darts star beaten by Luke Littler takes aim at PDC and complains about crowd | Other | Sport

Darts star Mike De Decker took aim at the PDC after being dumped out of the Grand Slam of Darts in the last 16.

The Belgian was involved in a battle for the ages against teenage sensation Luke Littler, with the best-of-10 contest going all the way to a 19th match.

De Decker had looked as if he would knock the 17-year-old out of the tournament after establishing a comfortable 8-4 lead after 12 games.

However, the ever-defiant Littler battled back, winning six of the last seven games – including two against the throw – to grab a dramatic victory and secure progression to the quarter-finals.

But the result left a sour taste in the mouth of De Decker, who sent a stern message to the PDC during his post-match interview about crowd behaviour.

Speaking to Viaplay, he said: “I asked Kirk Bevin (the announcer) to address the crowd but he wouldn’t even do that. Why is he even there?”

De Decker, competing at only his second Grand Slam, had been booed and jeered while taking crucial outshots.

It appeared to have an impact on the darts ace as he averaged a checkout percentage of 26 compared to the litter’s 38.

De Decker went on to add: “Make a complaint? It won’t do anything. The PDC will just say they’ll look into it and that’s it. It’s sad but that’s how it works.”

It is a bitter end to De Decker’s Grand Slam campaign as hopes had been high following last month’s impressive Grand Prix victory in Leicester.

De Decker impressed in the round-robin stage earlier this week, winning two of his three matches, including a 5-0 demolition of 2023 world champion Michael Smith.

Instead, it is Littler who marches on to the next round, with the world championship runner-up admitting he is still figuring things out after a mid-season slump.

Commenting on Sky Sports, Littler said: “I don’t know if I enjoyed it. I have to feel for Mike. I didn’t think I was in the game but I know I can always change that gear.

“Early I was at my normal pace, but towards the end I took an extra second and that helped me. I might have to throw like that from now on.

“I didn’t think I could overturn the deficit (in the last session). I just can’t believe it.”

The action continues from Wolverhampton tonight, with Cameron Menzies taking on Michael Mansell and Martin Lukeman going head-to-head against Rob Cross in the first two of four last eight games.