BDO Chairman Jacklin heavily criticised after potential Covid lockdown breach to collect trophy

BDO Chairman, Des Jacklin has been heavily criticised for seemingly breaking lockdown rules to collect the World Championship trophy.

Jacklin hit headlines this past weekend after seizing the trophy from current champion, Wayne Warren with the chairman saying at the time that he made a nine hour round trip to collect it.

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“Huge thanks to South Wales Police for recovering the BDO Men's World Professional Trophy,” said Jacklin on his Facebook account.

“The Police actually seized the BDO World Professional Trophy nearly 6 weeks ago but I have been waiting for a suitable time to make [the] 9 hour round trip to collect it, today was that day.”

“After investigation the South Wales Police (legal department) had no option but to return the Trophy back to its rightful owners (the BDO).”

Backlash on social media

As a result, this didn’t go down well on social media with players and fans discussing not only the seizing of the trophy but also the nine hour round trip.

Darts player Robbie Green was among those to comment on the matter: “Essential travel to South Wales to pick a trophy up?”

Another darts fan tweeted: “To make a 9 hour trip to steal back a trophy to an organisation that is defunct is a selfish act!”

Reply from Jacklin

This in turn saw Jacklin reply saying that he can’t have broke lockdown rules as he collected the trophy direct from the police station.

“I'm getting messages saying I've been reported to the police for Covid-19 travel violations,” said Jacklin also on his Facebook.

“I picked up the trophy from Pontypridd police station. I’ve been liaising with sergeants from the station and police handlers. People will stop at nothing to try and get one on me.”