Referee forced to intervene as Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries darts final blighted by ‘worst crowd in history’

THE referee was forced into disciplining fans during Luke Littler’s Premier League darts victory in Glasgow.

The 18-year-old world champion saw off Luke Humphries 6-5 in the final to win night two of the competition.

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Luke Humphries was left visibly frustrated by the crowd[/caption]

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Luke Littler was also put off but managed to win the final via a deciding leg[/caption]

But the match was not without controversy due to shocking fan behaviour inside Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena.

A group of supporters interfered with play by annoyingly whistling while both men were at the oche.

Humphries, who was struggling with a cut on his finger, and Littler were both seen getting increasingly frustrated by the distracting noises.

And then in a crucial moment with the score 4-4, Cool Hand appeared to be impacted by the crowd.

Humphries needed 119 to check out but managed just 59.

He shook his head towards referee Kirk Bevins, who then angrily shouted down the microphone: “Stop whistling”.

However, it had the opposite affect and more fans then joined in.

It put off Littler, who stepped up to the board needing just 45 but busted his score.

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Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle said: “That person needs to be careful because Kirk can do kung-fu.”

After the whistling continued, he added: “Why is this person not ejected?”

His colleague in the commentary box replied: “I’m not sure it’s just the one.”

Sky Sports reporter Abigail Davies tweeted: “Yet again, well done to those who paid good money to go and watch the best darts players in the world put on a show and actively contributed to them not delivering their absolute best by whistling.

“Really clever, that. There is no way you can be a fan of the sport if you do that.”

Fans also took aim at the Glaswegians on social media, with one saying: “Easily the worst crowd – absolute weapons whistling and everyone joining in when told to stop.”

Another added: “Seriously someone has to sort out this whistling at the darts. Just kick the scruffs out! Gonna keep happening if nothing is enforced.”

And a third user posted: “Anyone whistling in that crowd should be so ashamed of themselves I don’t think some folk realise how genuinely awful that crowd was.

“Most people in agreement it’s one of the worst in Premier League history. Props to the PDC for filling their overpriced seats tho with absolute morons, you got what you wanted”

After his win, Littler referenced the atmosphere, saying: “It was a weird final. We both weren’t playing well.

“Now and again I look up at the screen and we’re on a 90 average. The crowd got involved.”

Gerywn Price was also the victim of the whistles in his semi-final loss to Humphries earlier in the night.