Russ Bray Calls for Action Against Whistling in Darts After Glasgow Chaos
Legendary darts referee Russ Bray has urged fans to help combat the growing issue of whistling, which disrupted night two of the Premier League in Glasgow. The controversial behavior targeted Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries, leaving the typically composed World No. 1 visibly frustrated during his final against Luke Littler.
At one point, referee Kirk Bevins attempted to control the situation by demanding the crowd “stop whistling.” However, his plea only fueled the disruption, with Littler admitting after his 6-5 victory that the intervention made matters worse.
Bray: Fans Must Help Identify Whistlers
Bray, now a PDC ambassador, acknowledges that referees have limited power in stopping whistling and believes security—and fans—must play a bigger role in tackling the issue.
“The worst thing you can say as a referee is, ‘ladies and gentlemen, please don’t whistle,’ because all the idiots will start whistling. That’s the mentality of them,” Bray said ahead of the 2025 World Championship.
Instead, he suggests a more subtle approach:
“All you can say is, ‘ladies and gentlemen, please give the best of order.’ Then it’s up to security to get those idiots out. We don’t need them in there—it drives you nuts. It’s a thorn in the side of the game, for sure.”
With thousands of fans in attendance, pinpointing individual troublemakers is difficult. However, Bray believes spectators can help police the problem.
“If an idiot next to me was whistling, I’d turn around and have a go at him. You’re there to enjoy the game, not have some clown spoil it.”
“It’s Their Job”—Bray Defends Players
Bray compared the situation to interfering with someone’s livelihood, arguing that darts players deserve a fair and respectful environment to perform at their best.
“It’s their work. If someone was laying bricks, you wouldn’t go down there and play with his cement to put him off.”
While he admits that crowd noise is part of sports, he pointed out that darts players compete alone, unlike footballers who have teammates to help compensate.
“An Everton player taking a penalty in front of the Kop at Liverpool is going to get booed and screamed at. But he’s got another 10 people who can help him out. A darts player is on his own.”
Bray’s solution? Zero tolerance.
“I absolutely detest whistlers. The minute someone whistles, they should be thrown out. Get rid of them—you don’t need idiots like that.”
Backlash Against Glasgow Whistlers
The disruption in Glasgow has drawn widespread condemnation from fans and commentators alike. Sky Sports reporter Abigail Davies criticized the behavior, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“Yet again, well done to those who paid good money to go and watch the best darts players in the world put on a show and actively contributed to them not delivering their absolute best by whistling. Really clever, that. There is no way you can be a fan of the sport if you do that.”
Comedian Tim Vine also weighed in:
“Whistling at the darts. That’s what’s wrong with the world right there.”
Many fans are calling for stricter enforcement to prevent future disruptions:
“Seriously, someone has to sort out this whistling at the darts. Just kick the scruffs out! Gonna keep happening if nothing is enforced.”
With the Premier League continuing, all eyes will be on how the PDC and venues respond to the ongoing issue.
