Nieuwlaat cites alternatives to stop boos towards Price: ''The public needs to be re-educated, so to speak''

Gerwyn Price will not become world champion for the second time in his career this year. Putting on ear defenders has not changed that.

Price has been booed by the public for years, for the cause we have to go back to 18 November 2018. That was when Price played the final of the Grand Slam of Darts against Gary Anderson. After a while, Anderson had had it with the Welshman's exuberant cheering and complained about it, giving him a slight shove himself.

The DRA (body that issues disciplinary sanctions) investigated the matter and fined Price, Anderson got off with a warning. But since then, the tone has been set and Price has been booed by the public at almost every tournament.

For a long time, Price did not seem to care, but at this World Cup that changed when he suddenly entered the stage with headphones in his quarter-final against Gabriel Clemens when he was 3-1 down in sets. The PDC, through CEO Matt Porter, was not too happy about that, but found nothing in the regulations that prohibited wearing headphones. Although that rule could soon be amended.

Price does, however, get the necessary support from some colleagues. Michael van Gerwen, for example, had it noted that the current world number one does deserve a bit more respect. "But he also caused it a bit himself and will also have to come up with a solution himself," Van Gerwen was also critical.

Raymond van Barneveld also showed understanding. "Gerwyn is now 'home alone' and that's annoying for him. I don't see a way to stop it so soon. You can hardly tell thousands of spectators to shut up. And if he puts on ear defenders, the booing certainly won't lessen."

In fact, Van Barneveld himself has been wearing earplugs regularly in recent years. "I don't understand why Gerwyn didn't opt for that, it's much less noticeable. But I threw them in the bin a month ago because they made me languid. I missed the adrenaline I was getting from the venue. And I also want to enjoy such a full hall again."

Jacques Nieuwlaat, commentator at Viaplay and board member of the players' union PDPA, also hopes a solution will be found. "I don't think the other players will make a massive statement in support of him. Another possibility is that the PDC will intervene. That they make a call before every match to support players only in a positive way. And then stop the match if a player is continuously booed. Just until it stops. The public needs to be re-educated, so to speak. A World Championship like this does involve a first prize of half a million pounds huh."

Although Nieuwlaat doubts the PDC will go that far. "That leaves Gerwyn to take action himself. Those ear defenders went a bit far, but there are also very good earplugs, custom moulded even. These are not noticeable and with them he can shut himself off from outside influences very well. Does Raymond say that can also make you miss adrenaline? Well, then Gerwyn will have to make good trade-offs of what it gives him and what it costs him. But I do think this is the most realistic solution."