BRENTWOOD – The fallout from Luke Littler’s controversial victory over James Wade took a bizarre and dramatic turn on Thursday, as the defeated “Machine” staged a one-man protest outside the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) headquarters in Brentwood, claiming he was “sensor-bumped” during a post-match hug with the teenage sensation.
Wade, who lost a tense final clash to the 19 year-old phenomenon known as “The Nuke” at the UK Open, has been seething ever since. While the sporting world has been abuzz with Littler’s latest exploit, Wade’s focus has narrowed to a single, fleeting moment of sportsmanship.
“Everyone is talking about his 110 average and the big doubles he hit. I’m talking about the handshake. The hug,” Wade told a gathered crowd of bemused onlookers and hastily assembled press outside the PDC’s unassuming office block. “As we embraced, I distinctly felt a hard, rectangular object pressed against my chest. It was a sensor, or a transmitter of some kind. There’s no other explanation.”
Wade, a 12-time major winner, refused to elaborate on what he believes the device was for, only hinting at a wide-ranging conspiracy. “Is it tracking biometrics? Is it relaying strategic information to his earpiece? Is it part of some wider experiment to create the perfect, cyborg darts player? I don’t have the answers, but I want them.”
The protest, which began at 9:00 AM, has so far consisted of Wade pacing back and forth on the pavement holding a handwritten sign that reads: “JOB DONE? MORE LIKE SCAN DONE! I WANT ANSWERS.” He has refused all requests to enter the building for a formal meeting, insisting any dialogue must happen on “the picket line.”
PDC officials, visibly perplexed, have released a short statement. “We are aware of Mr. Wade’s presence outside our offices. We can confirm that Luke Littler was not wearing any unauthorised electronic equipment during his match. The object Mr. Wade felt was most likely a button on Mr. Littler’s shirt or the buckle on his dart wallet, which he keeps in his inside pocket for luck. We consider the matter closed and hope Mr. Wade will seek the shade; it is expected to be a warm day in Brentwood.”
Littler, when reached for comment at his hotel, was typically unfazed. “A sensor? Nah. That was just my lucky keyring. It’s a little metal dart board my nan gave me. He gave me a right good squeeze, so he must have felt it. It’s not got any batteries in it or nothing. Tell him if he wants, I’ll swap him my lucky keyring for his dartboard one day. No hard feelings.”
Fans and pundits have been quick to mock the “Sensorgate” scandal online, with #SensorGate and #WadeWatch trending on social media. Many have pointed out the irony of “The Machine” protesting technology.
As the sun beats down on Brentwood, Wade shows no sign of backing down. He has vowed to remain outside the headquarters until his demands for a full, independent investigation into the “Littler Emitter” are met. Whether this is a principled stand against potential technological doping in darts, or simply the heat of the moment getting to a fierce competitor, remains to be seen.
One thing is for certain: the fallout from “The Nuke” shows no sign of cooling down.