“I understand why players don’t travel over here” – Stephen Bunting ‘really hurt’ as whistling row erupts again in Germany

Stephen Bunting has spoken out after crowd behaviour overshadowed his European Darts Trophy defeat to Niko Springer in Göttingen, admitting he felt “really hurt” by whistling directed at him during the match.

The Englishman was beaten 6-5 by the German in a dramatic deciding-leg contest on Saturday evening. However, the sporting result quickly became secondary as repeated whistles from a small section of the crowd disrupted key moments of the match.

Referee Huw Ware was forced to intervene during the match to warn spectators, while stage MC Philip Brzezinski also criticised the behaviour afterwards. Springer himself later addressed the issue, saying he felt “a bit ashamed” about the treatment his opponent received.

Bunting also shared his thoughts after the match, publishing a detailed response on Instagram in which he reflected on both the defeat and the atmosphere inside the arena.

“Just got back to the hotel after my loss tonight to Niko Springer,” Bunting wrote. “Firstly I want to say congratulations to Niko, he played a great game and deserved the win.”

The former Lakeside champion also highlighted the demanding schedule that preceded the match in Göttingen. “We set off from Nottingham on Friday morning at 7:30am after the Premier League night in Nottingham and arrived in Göttingen later that day.”

Despite the travel and the defeat itself, Bunting made clear that the result was not the main reason for his frustration. “I never moan about defeats or cry about them, but I feel really hurt tonight even though it was only a small minority of people.”

According to Bunting, the whistling during key moments of the match crossed a line that should not exist in darts. “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.”

While criticising the behaviour from parts of the crowd, Bunting was careful to make clear that his comments were not directed at his opponent.

“Nothing at all against Niko Springer,” he wrote. “He played a great match but the whistling spoilt the game.”

Bunting also suggested the situation may help explain why some players are reluctant to travel to certain events. “I understand why players don’t travel over here for the whistling.”

Crowd atmosphere has long been one of the defining features of the PDC’s European Tour, particularly in Germany where venues regularly produce loud and passionate support. At times, however, that intensity has crossed into behaviour that players and officials believe disrupts matches.

Comments like Bunting’s also echo previous remarks from Luke Littler, who has spoken openly in the past about hostile receptions from German crowds during European Tour events. While there is no suggestion that crowd behaviour was behind it, several high-profile players including Littler, Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall were absent from this weekend’s European Tour event in Göttingen.

Saturday’s clash in Göttingen became the latest example. While the vast majority of spectators created the kind of atmosphere that has helped grow darts across Europe, the actions of a small group proved enough to become the dominant talking point after the match.

For Bunting, the frustration was not simply about losing a tight contest, but about feeling that the match had been affected by something outside the control of the players. “I’m proud to represent the sport wherever I play,” he wrote. “But moments like tonight make it difficult.”

Despite the disappointment, Bunting ended his message by thanking the supporters who continue to follow his career. “Thank you to everyone who supports me week in, week out.”