Gerwyn Price has given his verdict on the World Darts Championship potentially moving to Saudi Arabia in the future - and it has got fans talking.
The current world number four won the World Championship for the first and only time in 2021, beating Gary Anderson 7-3 in the final.
Price then reached two consecutive quarter-finals, before being knocked out in the third round by Brendan Dolan during the 2024 championships.
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Throughout his career, the Welshman has been subjected to more than his fair share of hostility from darts crowds - resorting in him taking desperate measures during his 2023 world quarter-final against Gabriel Clemens.
Price was so furious at the crowd's chanting that he emerged for the fifth set wearing a pair of ear defenders - much to the amusement of those watching.
He once called for the World Darts Championship to be moved from the Alexandra Palace - partly so he would have a better chance of winning the event.
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Therefore, upon reading former PDC chairman Barry Hearn's comments about the prestigious event potentially being moved to Saudi Arabia in the future, Price was compelled to give his take.
Hearn told the Daily Mirror: "Everyone will say, 'Are you gonna take it to Saudi?'
"Well, no, don't be silly. They're not ready yet. But they won't be far along.
"They won't allow alcohol and the essence of darts is it's party time, isn't it? It's fun as well as great sport."
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He added: "I have spoken to the Saudis and they were very keen. But of course, there's no alcohol in Saudi.
"There will be quite soon. When it does, the first event they will want to stage in Saudi will be darts. It's a great atmosphere at Ally Pally but, well, we're looking at it.
"We're going to be very adventurous because we have tremendous demands all around the world for people that want to play in the World Darts Championship from different countries."
One of those players, it seems, is Price.
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Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "Maybe it's the way forward.
"Less drunken hooligans that aren't fans, causing fights, that turn up once in a blue moon and spoil/dictate the amount of a game in what's the most important event of the year for the players.
"If you want that kind of atmosphere there's four months of it with the Premier League. People can still enjoy themselves without alcohol #PlayersFirst."
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His comments caused plenty of reaction on social media.
One fan wrote: "I'd be interested to see the ticket sales if all darts events were made alcohol free. I'd then be interested to see what happens to the prize money."
A second said: "He's desperate to go somewhere that he doesn't get heckled."
A third stated: "Love Gerwyn but this is tragic."
A fourth remarked: "Give me the pure silence of the Circus Tavern on a key double any day of the week. There was a good atmosphere in there, it was just different."
A fifth added: "Ally Pally is darts culture and making a move to Saudi like football would kill the sport."
And another argued: "Here's your problem - fans first. You'll get idiots anywhere you go with large crowds, alcohol or not."
Topics:Â Darts, Saudi Arabia, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart