Daryl Gurney breaks silence on confrontation with referee in heated Grand Slam of Darts incident
Daryl Gurney has broken his silence following his tense confrontation with referee Kirk Bevins during his Grand Slam of Darts defeat — an exchange that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.
The Northern Irish star was visibly frustrated during his group-stage loss, with cameras catching a heated exchange between him and Bevins at the end of the match. The moment sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits, many wondering what had caused the flare-up.
“I just wanted clarity” – Gurney explains his side
Speaking after the match, Gurney moved to clear the air, insisting there was no bad blood — only emotion in the heat of battle.
“People can think what they like, but I wasn’t trying to cause trouble,” Gurney said.
“I just wanted clarity on a call. When you’re playing for big money and big points, every leg matters.”
The two-time PDC major winner admitted he was frustrated with a particular scoring call but made it clear that he respects Bevins and the officials.
“Kirk’s one of the best referees out there,” Gurney added.
“In that moment, emotions were high. I wanted to make sure everything was right, but once I walked off, it was done. No drama, no grudges.”
A tense finish captured on camera
The incident occurred near the end of Gurney’s defeat, as TV cameras caught him gesturing toward the referee and appearing to exchange words before walking off. The footage quickly circulated online, with clips shared across X (Twitter) and TikTok, generating thousands of views within hours.
Fans debated whether Gurney had crossed the line or was simply standing up for himself, with opinions divided. Some defended his passion; others felt the confrontation looked unnecessary.
“You care when you’re fighting for something”
Gurney, known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, admitted he sometimes struggles to hide his competitive fire — but stressed that his passion comes from wanting to win.
“I’ve always been fiery, and that’s part of who I am,” he said.
“You care when you’re fighting for something. I’ll never apologise for that — but I’ll always show respect at the end.”
Focus back on the darts
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Gurney said his full focus is now on finishing the season strong and building momentum heading into the 2025 campaign.
“I’ve been practising well, and I know my game’s there,” he said.
“The aim now is to stay sharp and finish the year the right way.”
