Mike De Decker slams English darts followers and Ally Pally crowd after World Championship loss
Mike De Decker has hit out at English darts fans for their behaviour during his astonishing World Championship defeat to David Munyua at Ally Pally
Fuming Mike De Decker hit out at the Ally Pally crowd following his incredible defeat to David Munyua.
The Belgian ace was left seething over the behaviour of fans at the World Championship after being dumped out by the Kenyan sensation. De Decker had been a massive 1/66 favourite to sail through to the World Championship’s second round and looked completely in command after claiming the first two sets.
But Munyua had missed arrows to clinch that second set, but the Kenyan launched an incredible comeback. As the full-time vet began his remarkable revival, after killing the Ally Pally wasp and stuffing it in his pocket, the fans started rallying behind him, singing his name.
Meanwhile, the pressure intensified on De Decker, with spectators jeering him during crucial attempts at the oche. The Belgian fluffed three match arrows at one stage and faced hostile reception from the crowd during pivotal moments in the match’s dying stages.
De Decker’s frustration was evident as he shook his head towards the supporters after one missed opportunity, which they celebrated loudly to compound his misery.
Following his tournament elimination, the beaten former Grand Prix winner vented his anger on Instagram.
De Decker posted: “Well done, David. But the crowd? Wow…Booing and whistling shouldn’t be normal or encouraged. You’re the first to complain when it happens to British players in Europe, but you do exactly the same when the tournament is in the UK.”
Munyua was ecstatic following his victory, with supporters continuously chanting his name during his stage interview, where he declared: “This is amazing. I didn’t expect it. I am happy about it. This is a very big moment for the sport itself, for Africa, for the Kenyans.
“If I can do it, they can believe they can do it. The sport can grow. I am happy I did my best and the outcome is quite good. At 2-0 down, to be honest I was doing my best.
“We have a very good terminology in my local area which says there is no big difference if you know how it is done. Go there and do it. I like the outcome. I am happy about the outcomes.
“There was a moment of miscounts. I am pleased it didn’t affect me. I miscounted. I came back and still got the momentum, I focused and concentrated. I am happy. Thank you so much. Why not?”.
De Decker’s departure capped off a disastrous opening round for Belgium, with all five representatives now eliminated from the competition.
Andy Baetens, Mario Vandenbogaerde, Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts have all similarly fallen at the opening stage in what has become a catastrophic tournament for the nation.
