One of the most popular stars heading into this year’s World Darts Championship was once hit with the biggest fine the sport has ever seen.
In just a matter of weeks, darts fans will settle in for the annual festive tradition of watching the world’s best players battle it out at Alexandra Palace. The tournament begins on Thursday, 11 December, with major names such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Stephen Bunting all preparing for their latest shot at glory.
As always, fans can expect memorable walk-ons, fierce rivalries and the occasional flash of temper on the Ally Pally stage.
But one competitor will be treading carefully this year — Gerwyn Price, who previously received the largest fine in darts history following a notorious on-stage bust-up.
Back in 2018, Price faced Gary Anderson in the Grand Slam of Darts final in Wolverhampton. Although the Welshman won the title, becoming the first from his country to claim a major PDC crown, the night is remembered just as much for the chaos surrounding it as the victory itself.
Throughout the fiery contest, tempers erupted multiple times. One flashpoint came when Price unleashed an over-enthusiastic celebration, prompting Anderson to shove him in frustration. The tension had already been brewing, with a similar altercation occurring earlier in the tournament during Price’s quarter-final clash with Simon Whitlock.
Following several official complaints from spectators, Price was found to be in breach of multiple DRA rules. A statement later confirmed that he had also admitted to posting inappropriate comments on social media.
The Darts Regulation Authority issued a series of fines: £8,000 for his conduct against Whitlock, £12,000 for his behaviour toward Anderson, and an additional £1,500 for his social-media posts. He also received a three-month suspended ban.
Despite physically pushing Price during the match, Anderson escaped with only a formal warning, with the DRA concluding he had been “significantly provoked” and describing his shove as a “non-aggressive push.”
Price’s overall fine was eventually reduced by half, though his appeal against the verdict was unsuccessful.
This year, Price begins his World Championship campaign against Czech star Adam Gawlas on Tuesday, 16 December.
