In one of the most astonishing scenes ever witnessed on a professional darts stage, Micky Mansell and Michael Smith refused to shake hands before their Belgian Darts Open first-round clash on Friday, with Mansell later revealing the explosive reason: “He texted my girlfriend.”
The pair, who were scheduled to meet in the opening round of the European Tour event at the Antwerp Expo, stood at opposite ends of the stage as the traditional pre-match handshake was abandoned, leaving master of ceremonies Jacques Nieuwlaat visibly flustered and the Belgian crowd in a state of shocked confusion.
As the walk-ons concluded, both players remained rooted to their positions, eyes fixed forward, making no move toward the centre of the stage where courtesy typically dictates a brief acknowledgment. The announcer swiftly moved to introduce the match, but the tension was already suffocating.
‘This Is Personal’
Following Smith’s victory, a tight-lipped Mansell did not hold back when asked about the snub.
“You want to know why we didn’t shake hands?” the Northern Irishman said, his jaw clenched. “I’ll tell you why. He texted my girlfriend. This isn’t about darts. This is personal. You don’t cross that line. I don’t care who you are or what you’ve won in this game—you don’t do that.”
Mansell declined to elaborate on the content of the messages or the nature of his relationship, but sources close to the 38-year-old confirmed that the alleged texts were sent in the weeks leading up to the tournament and had been the source of significant personal turmoil.
“Micky was absolutely furious when he found out,” one source said. “He’s been seething about it ever since. The handshake wasn’t happening—everyone in his camp knew it.”
Smith: ‘It’s Between Us’
Michael Smith, the former world champion and 2023 World Darts Championship winner, was more guarded in his response but did not deny the allegations.
“Look, what’s happened is between me and Micky,” Smith said after his victory. “It’s personal. I’m not going to air it out in front of everyone. But yeah, there was no handshake. That’s where things are at right now. I came here to play darts, and I did my job on the board. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
When pressed on whether he disputed Mansell’s account, Smith shook his head and walked away without further comment.
‘Never Seen Anything Like It’
The incident has sent shockwaves through the darts community, with players and pundits struggling to recall a similar refusal to shake hands before a professional match.
Wayne Mardle, commentating for Viaplay, described the scene as “unprecedented.”
“I’ve been around this sport for over 30 years. I’ve seen players fall out, I’ve seen tempers flare, I’ve seen push-and-shove on stage,” Mardle said. “But I’ve never—never—seen two players refuse to shake hands before a match has even started. That tells you this is deep. This isn’t a spat over a double. This is real life bleeding into the sport.”
Fellow commentator Laura Turner echoed the sentiment. “You could feel it in the arena. The crowd didn’t know what to do. There was this awful silence. It made everyone uncomfortable. This isn’t what darts is about.”
PDC ‘Aware’ of Situation
The Professional Darts Corporation has confirmed it is “aware of the incident” but has so far declined to comment on whether any disciplinary action will be taken.
Under PDC rules, players are expected to conduct themselves in a “professional and respectful manner,” though the handshake itself is not a codified requirement. However, the public nature of the snub—combined with the explosive allegations that followed—may prompt the governing body to intervene.
A PDC spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation involving Michael Smith and Micky Mansell at the Belgian Darts Open. We are gathering information and will make no further comment at this time.”
Fans React
Social media erupted within minutes of the handshake snub, with fans split between those condemning Smith and those arguing the matter should remain private.
“If it’s true he texted his girlfriend, then Mansell is completely justified,” one fan wrote on X. “Some lines you just don’t cross.”
Others questioned Mansell’s decision to go public. “Bringing your personal life to the oche is never a good look. Handle it behind closed doors,” another posted.
The incident has also reignited debates about the blurred lines between camaraderie and rivalry on the PDC circuit, where players often travel together and socialize extensively.
What Happens Now?
With the Belgian Darts Open continuing through the weekend, both players are scheduled to remain in the tournament—Smith in the later rounds, Mansell now eliminated. It remains to be seen whether the pair will cross paths again in the practice room or players’ lounge.
For now, the refusal to shake hands stands as one of the most dramatic—and uncomfortable—moments in recent darts history. And with Mansell showing no sign of backing down and Smith refusing to engage further, the feud shows no sign of thawing.
As one veteran player in the locker room put it, speaking on condition of anonymity: “Whatever happened between them, this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”