BAHRAIN – In a stunning and potentially explosive development in the world of professional darts, teenage sensation Luke Littler has vowed to publish what he claims is clear evidence that opponent Gerwyn Price cheated during their quarter-final clash at the Bahrain Darts Masters last week.
The 17-year-old phenomenon, who lost the match 6-2 to the former world champion, made the incendiary claim in a heated social media post early Thursday, writing: “I can’t lose to him. Everyone will see why. The proof is coming. #BahrainMasters”
The post, which has since sent the darts community into a frenzy, refers to their January 18th match, where Price produced a commanding performance to end Littler’s campaign. The match itself was notable for several tense exchanges and moments where Littler appeared visibly frustrated, though no major incidents were flagged by officials at the time.
Littler’s Camp: “A Matter of Integrity”
Speaking briefly to reporters via telephone, a representative for Littler stated the teenager and his team are “compiling video and audio evidence” they believe shows “clear breaches of protocol designed to disrupt Luke’s rhythm.” They declined to specify the exact nature of the alleged cheating but hinted it could relate to in-game gamesmanship beyond the bounds of accepted sportsmanship.
“Luke is a competitor, and he accepts loss when it’s fair,” the representative said. “This is about the integrity of the sport. He feels he has an obligation to the fans and to other players to show what he believes happened. He’s not making this allegation lightly.”
Price and the PDC Respond
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) issued a short statement acknowledging the “serious allegations.”
“The PDC is aware of comments made by Luke Littler regarding his quarter-final match at the Bahrain Darts Masters. All matches are overseen by tournament officials, and no formal complaint was lodged during or immediately after the event. We have contacted both players and their management to seek further information and will have no further comment until that process is complete.”
Gerwyn Price, known for his own fiery on-stage persona and previous run-ins with the sport’s authorities over conduct, has yet to make a detailed public statement. However, a short post on his own social media read: “Another win. Focus on the darts. Nothing more to say.” Supporters of the Welshman have pointed to his superior checkout percentage and scoring in the match as the clear reasons for his victory.
A Sport Rocked by Allegations
The allegations strike at the heart of darts culture, where psychological pressure and “mind games” are considered part of the contest, but with an unwritten line separating gamesmanship from outright interference. Price has previously been fined for aggressive behaviour, making Littler’s claims particularly potent.
Prominent figures within the sport have reacted with a mix of shock and caution. Former world champion Wayne Mardle told SportsByte News, “This is nuclear. If Luke has real proof of something that crosses the line, it changes everything. But if it’s just sour grapes from a loss, it could damage his reputation hugely. It’s a massive gamble.”
What Now?
All eyes are now on Littler’s promised “proof,” which he claims will be published on his social media channels in the coming days. The darts world is holding its breath, waiting to see if the sport’s new superstar is about to expose a major scandal or ignite a bitter and divisive feud that could overshadow the start of a promising new season.
The next scheduled meeting between the two could be at the upcoming Dutch Darts Masters, setting the stage for an encounter of unprecedented tension.