Gerwyn Price ‘can blame himself for Ally Pally boos’, says Michael van Gerwen

On Dec 20, 2023

Michael van Gerwen says Gerwyn Price should take a number of the blame for the tough experience he will get from followers at Alexandra Palace.

Price was roundly booed eventually 12 months’s World Darts Championship and infamously donned a pair of ear-defenders for a set throughout his quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Clemens. The Ice Man then threatened to boycott the event.

While Price didn’t carry by way of on that menace, he claimed he was on the verge of withdrawing on the eve of his opening match, a 3-0 win towards Conor Scutt, on Monday evening. The 2021 champion mentioned: “At six o’clock yesterday, I was still in the house and I probably wasn’t going to play in the tournament.”

In the tip, the gang’s response to Price was blended, with as many cheers as boos. It might be intriguing to see if that continues to be the case because the event progresses.

Van Gerwen additionally cruised into the third spherical with a 3-0 over Keane Barry on Tuesday. Asked for his ideas on Price’s drawback with the Ally Pally crowd, the Dutchman mentioned the difficulty was partly of his rival’s personal doing.

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Gerwyn Price throughout his ear-defenders stunt on the 2023 World Championship
(Image: Getty Images)

“With respect to Gezzy, he can blame himself a little bit for getting the boos,” mentioned the three-time world champion. “If you keep doing this [cups his ear] to the crowd and things like this, he’s going to get it [the boos] and I keep telling him that.”

Price has additionally mentioned he would really like the Worlds to transfer away from Ally Pally, an unthinkable prospect for a lot of within the sport. He mentioned: “Can I win it once more? Sure… when it goes to Wales, Germany or wherever.

Michael van Gerwen has had his say on Gerwyn Price’s Ally Pally feedback
(Image: @PDC)

“That’s what happens with other sports – their World Cup or World Championship is played in different countries. I think it’s only right that the tournament should move to different parts of the world, and then I’ll have a better chance.”

However, Van Gerwen is joyful for the event to stay on the historic north London venue. “I think it’s great here, this venue is iconic,” mentioned the Green Machine. “To go worldwide? I think the PDC is doing good enough with the World Series and things like that.”