"I never disrespect any player": De Sousa clears the air with Van Gerwen after Gibraltar interview

Jose de Sousa produced a 105 average and thrashed Martin Schindler 6-1 to move into the Last 16 of the European Championship with a big chance awaiting as it will be Chris Dobey instead of Michael van Gerwen next.

Speaking afterwards, 'The Special One' believes that the crowd certainly played their part but in affecting Schindler in the end.

"Today it's the match they expect from Martin Schindler and they expect him to win his game, it wasn't that way. I'm very proud for myself to live with so much pressure from the crowd and I realise if I focus on my game, I can do great things. It was a big win for me," said De Sousa to Online Darts.

"I can't listen to nothing, they scream so loud. I think they disturbed Martin in a couple of moments. I think that's a big party on my back so keep pushing."

Recently De Sousa hit the headlines for an interview that Michael van Gerwen gave where he called him Mr Big B******s and essentially felt disrespected after De Sousa went for two double 20's on 80 and he responded to that.

"I didn't know what happened, I never disrespect any player. Everybody knows who I am, I'm the most respectful player in the circuit. So I speak with Michael, we clear the air and everything is ok."

All pressure albeit not in De Sousa's mind will be on the Portuguese ace also when he plays in the Grand Slam qualifier next month as he looks to defend winners' money from two years ago.

"I have to produce in one qualifier so fingers crossed I qualify. Before the World Matchplay my game wasn't so good and after I become better and better again. I start to produce great performance so I hope I can be in the Grand Slam."