EXCLUSIVE: Michael van Gerwen was involved in a physical altercation while celebrating King’s Day as an individual threw a punch at him – and the truth behind the incident has emerged
Michael van Gerwen was involved in a physical altercation when an individual appeared to throw a punch at the Dutch darts star at a party.
Van Gerwen, 37, was out celebrating Koningsdag or King’s Day, a national holiday in the Netherlands last month. However, the mood of the night soon turned when a group of individuals surrounded MVG.
An argument appeared to start before footage showed a punch was thrown at Mighty Mike. The man was dragged away as Van Gerwen attempted to follow him. However, the incident did not escalate after the PDC classed the situation as a “private matter” and little detail was reported.
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But now, speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, former PDC star Vincent van der Voort, who is a close friend of the three-time world champion, revealed the truth behind the incident.
The Dutchman said: “He went to the toilet and somebody who was really, really drunk just chose to confront him and just talk to him and out of nothing he gave him a slap and luckily enough he missed.
“But then the next day the guy apologised and said that he can’t remember it, his girlfriend told him that he has to apologise and that’s the end.
“Of course you can’t prepare yourself for everything, that’s impossible.
“I mean, these things can happen, only you have to make sure that you’re not in that situation too many times because then the public will think it’s probably you instead of the other guy.”
Van Gerwen returns to Premier League action tonight in Leeds as he looks to retain his place in the top four of the table and take a step closer to Finals Night at The O2 later this month.
The seven-time Premier League champion missed out on a play-off spot last year for only the second time in 13 years.
With Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton already qualified, Van Gerwen is three points behind Gerwyn Price in third and two points ahead of Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries – who are both yet to win a night this year. Van Gerwen faces Littler in the quarter-final, with the winner taking on Clayton or Price in the semi-final.
Should Van Gerwen fail to beat the world champion, the door would be left firmly open for Van Veen or Humphries to leapfrog him into the play-off spot with the two potentially facing each other in the semi-final.