Michael van Gerwen is no stranger to conflict at the oche – with Peter Wright often rubbing him up the wrong way.
The two darts legends boast five PDC World Championship titles between them and are in the top four of the most televised Majors won in history.
Van Gerwen and Wright endured a frosty Premier League clash in 2015Shutterstock Editorial The Dutchman took exception to his rival trying to rile up the fansGettyAnd they’ve had their fair share of heated clashes under the bright lights – including a fiery Premier League match in Dublin in 2014.
MVG accused his rival of being ‘out of order’ after the two-time Scottish World Cup winner stopped mid-leg to interact with the crowd.
It resulted in Wright vowing he did nothing wrong and insisting he will continue to gee up the fans in attendance.
And that’s exactly what he did the following year during a Premier League clash in Exeter on Week 5.
In a bad-tempered affair that finished 6-6 in the best-of-12 legs tie, ‘Snakebite’ pandered to the crowd before throwing a third dart at tops as he looked to secure a 160 checkout.
It would have seen him take the lead at 5-3, but he missed, which allowed Van Gerwen to pounce and steal the leg.
But the Dutchman was still left seething following their thrilling encounter, which led to a war-of-words in their post-match interview.
Accusing Wright of lacking professionalism, the diehard PSV fan said: “What that guy does is nothing to do with darts. I’m here to play darts.”
Before adding: “He does it on purpose, it’s nothing to do with darts. Simple. He’s not professional.
“It’s frustrating, it has nothing to do with darts, I like to play a good game of darts.
Wright turned to the Exeter crowd before going for a double in the eighth leg Three-time world champion Van Gerwen was left displeased by Wright’s antics“If I play Phil [Taylor] or anyone else… I never saw Phil Taylor do things like that.
“If he wants to be the funny guy, he needs to do whatever he wants. Simple.”
Wright was quick to respond as he returned fire and stressed it’s part of his game in entertaining those that paid a ticket to watch him in action.
Told that MVG wasn’t happy with his conduct, Wright snapped: “Well he wouldn’t have been happy if I’d hit the tops and won the leg either, would he?
“Grow up you big baby. You’ll find his dummy over here somewhere.”
As the fans serenaded him, Wright continued: “It’s about entertaining the crowd. Everyone was on his side, and they want entertainment. I’m entertainment. So enjoy it.”
MVG seemed amused by Wright’s actions, but he was left seething after their drawPressed at whether he will stop turning to the crowd during legs, he stated: “I won’t stop doing it, no.
“I believe I can turn round and hit the double, I wish I had hit the 160.
“With fans like that out there, they want entertainment, not big babies crying about, ‘Oh he’s doing this, he’s doing that.’
“He moaned last week about Adrian Lewis going slow. I went really fast this week, is he going to complain I went too fast?
“Michael, grow up and play darts.
“It doesn’t bother me at all, no. Sorry harsh words, Mike, grow up.”
Wright couldn’t believe he was being accused of a lack of professionalism by Van GerwenJust days later, Van Gerwen would beat Wright in the UK Open final, coming from behind to win 11-5 in Minehead.
It was the second of five successive Major finals that Wright would lose to Van Gerwen.
Though the 55-year-old revealed that the duo had held clear-the-air talks to settle their differences.
Wright said: “Michael and I are fine. We spoke and there’s no problem at all.
“He knows I won’t change the way I play – and I won’t stop being the showman. I’d rather be a showman than be successful!
“His words after the game in Exeter were more down to him being frustrated at his own game.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Grow up you big baby’ – Michael van Gerwen scolded after accusing rival of lacking professionalism )
Also on site :