PAUL NICHOLSON CRASHED out of the World Darts Championship last night – then blamed his opponent’s girlfriend for the defeat.
The 32-year-old, who plays up to being the so-called ‘bad boy of darts’, took the opening set against Belgian Kim Huybrechts.
However, he ended up losing 4-1 and claimed he was distracted by all the attention Huybrechts’ other half was getting from the crowd.
“There’s a reason why I lost that game, and she’s right there,” Nicholson told Dan Dawson, “If she wasn’t in that crowd, I swear to God, I would’ve won that game.
They were more interested in his girfriend than that match.”
Television cameras picked out Huybrechts’ long-term partner Dana Verhaegen (pictured below) on several occasions throughout the game, which prompted wolf-whistling from some fans at Alexandra Palace.
Credit: @sportsbreakfast
Clearly upset with being put off his game and the fact that he wasn’t getting any love from the supporters, Nicholson vowed to make his feelings clear the next time he is successful in a competition.
“I’m puzzled because I’ve done nothing wrong, but for some reason I just don’t have the crowd’s respect.
“Quite frankly, I don’t even want it anymore but I wanted this game so much,” he added.
“The next time I win a tournament on television, I’m going to give them (the fans) two fingers up and I will take the fine.”
Huybrechts, who has been something of a surprise package at this year’s event, progresses to take on Andy Hamilton in the first quarter-final, while the meeting of John Part and James Wade is the other match scheduled for this afternoon.
