"It would break a lot of people": Soutar opens up on receiving vile abuse as a follow up to Price incident

Gerwyn Price's decision to wear ear defenders during his match at the PDC World Darts Championship (briefly) has caused a stir on social media.

Some people think Price has brought it on himself with his pantomime villain status stemming from his 2018 Grand Slam win over Gary Anderson where many thought he overstepped the mark with his celebrations and started booing. Others think the hatred towards players goes way too far.

On Facebook, fellow darter Alan Soutar caught on. The Scot, who like Price was eliminated by Gabriel Clemens, showed a number of screenshots showing hate messages he received after his elimination.

"Here is a tiny snap shot (I have an unbelievable amount of these) into how a Fire fighter who protects the community and just happens to play darts on those stages, also gets abused online every event," said Soutar.

"On stage, the vile abuse, even I get is horrendous. It would break a lot of people. It’s not banter that’s for sure.

"Sing about Scotland getting battered as loud as you want……that’s banter!

"I’m a strong character and think they wouldn’t say it to my face, in person, by themselves.

"We win money so deserve this abuse I’ve read. Give your head a wobble! So you lost a £5 bet, he just lost a £100,000 match."