Referee intervened before Gerwyn Price faced an unmatched financial penalty
Sparking Scandal: Gerwyn Price's Shocking Darts Debacle
The Welsh dynamo, Gerwyn Price, managed to secure his first-ever PDC major victory at the Grand Slam of Darts in 2018, but the celebrations were overshadowed by his volatile behavior throughout the tournament.
In a fiery quarter-final encounter against Simon Whitlock, Price won a nail-biting 16-15 contest in a deciding leg. However, it was his exuberant reactions that landed him in hot water, particularly a wild celebration after recovering from a 9-5 deficit to level things at 10-10.
This outburst sparked a heated argument between the two players, with referee Russ Bray intervening to calm Price down. The drama didn't end there, as Price's controversial antics continued in the final against Gary Anderson.
The Welshman found himself 9-12 down in the decider, but he battled back to win 16-13, claiming eight of the last 10 legs. The match was far from smooth, with several heated exchanges between the two players over perceived slow play and excessive celebrations from Price. At one point, Anderson responded by shoving him.
Iconic darts commentator Wayne Mardle criticized their behavior, stating, "It was brewing. It got beyond a darts match. It got ridiculous in the end." Price, however, insisted Anderson needed to handle his "dark arts" better.
Price's actions eventually resulted in disciplinary measures, leading to the largest fine in darts history. In January 2019, he was fined a total of £21,500 and handed a three-month suspended ban by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) for his behavior during the tournament. Price loudly rejected the punishment, vowing to appeal against the hefty fine.
Despite his refusal to accept the punishment, Price's appeal was somewhat successful, as he managed to reduce his fine to £11,500. His sanctions for his behavior against Whitlock and Anderson were halved, but the fine for his social media posts remained at the full amount.
Price and Anderson weren't done with each other, as they later met in the final of the 2021 PDC World Darts Championship. Much to everyone's surprise, it was once again Price who emerged victorious, claiming his first and only world title with a 7-3 win over the two-time champion at Alexandra Palace.
Darts Stars on the Line:While Gerwyn Price made headlines for his aggressive behavior, fellow darts player Andy Jenkins found himself in hot water for much more serious offenses. In 2025, Jenkins was banned until 2036 and fined £17,580 for match-fixing and betting violations in 12 matches and betting on 88 matches[1].
Meanwhile, Price's recent matches against Luke Littler have been the focus of competitive rivalry rather than disciplinary issues[2]. If more details about Price’s disciplinary history are required, additional sources would be necessary. Historical incidents might include past controversies like vaccination-related withdrawals or heated on-stage exchanges.
The sporting world isn't just about victories and trophies; it also encompasses controversies and scandals. Despite Gerwyn Price's triumph in the Premier League of Darts, his volatile behavior often takes center stage. In the finals of the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts, Price clashed with fellow commentator Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson, leading to disciplinary measures and the largest fine in darts history. Eventually, Price's fine was reduced, but his antics continued to make headlines. Meanwhile, in the realm of boxing or F1, one might expect Whitlock to serve as a commentator, not a participant embroiled in a heated darts final. Price's controversial behavior should serve as a reminder that the price of fame sometimes comes with its share of scrutiny and penalties.
