Phil Taylor's response after being accused of cheating during controversial darts match speaks volumes

Phil Taylor had a priceless response after being accused of cheating in a darts game.

Taylor is arguably the greatest player in the history of darts, winning an incredible 214 professional tournaments, 87 major titles and a record 16 World Championships in a dominant three-decade run.

'The Power' retired from the sport in 2018 and though he has played in exhibition matches and senior competitions, he no longer plays competitively.

The 64-year-old is among the greatest British sportsmen but back in June 2013, he briefly faced accusations of cheating during a game.

Taylor was one of 64 participants in the Gibraltar Darts Trophy, where £100,000 in prize money was up for grabs.

Phil Taylor is arguably the greatest darts player in history. Image: Getty

He went all the way to claim the £20,000 prize, beating Jamie Lewis in the final at the Victoria Stadium.

Phil Taylor faced accusations of cheating

But earlier on in the run, there was some controversy attached to one of his victories. Taylor beat Dean Winstanley 6-1 in the second round and at one stage, looked to have hit double-12 to win a leg.

However, referee Russ Bray had actually failed to spot that one of his darts had landed outside the target area. TV footage even showed it but Taylor was awarded the point.

The PDC launched an investigation which saw evidence reviewed and ultimately came to the conclusion that it was a "rare human error".

Taylor, who was cleared of any wrongdoing had offered to replay the game or even forfeiting and give his prize money to Winstanley. This was not possible, though, with PDC tournament director Tommy Cox explaining that the rules did not permit the move.

However, the damage was done already for Taylor, who was accused of cheating by his mentor Eric Bristow and had to deal with the backlash which came his way.

"It has killed me," Taylor told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It is terrible the referee made a mistake.

"I offered to forfeit the game, I said if it was not right I will forfeit and give the prize money to the fella or replay the game altogether.

"I would never cheat in a million years. The referee shouts game set and match and that’s it, game set and match.

"Then certain people say certain things, it's got to be very hurtful, of course it is.

"Thousands and thousands of people in Stoke on Trent know me but I have to go on stage and there’s about 20 people calling me a cheat. Of course it is off-putting. It’s terrible. It hurts your feelings of course."