Michael van Gerwen slap truth as darts star speaks out after apology | Other | Sport

A row appeared to break out before video footage captured a punch being aimed at Mighty Mike. The man was hauled away as Van Gerwen attempted to pursue him. The incident didn’t escalate further after the PDC deemed the situation a “private matter” and scant detail was made public. Now, however, former PDC star Vincent van der Voort, a close friend of the three-time world champion, has shed light on what truly unfolded that night in an interview with the Daily Star.

The Dutchman said: “He went to the toilet and somebody who was really, really drunk just chose to confront him and just talk to him and out of nothing he gave him a slap and luckily enough he missed.

“But then the next day the guy apologised and said that he can’t remember it, his girlfriend told him that he has to apologise and that’s the end. Of course you can’t prepare yourself for everything, that’s impossible.

“I mean, these things can happen, only you have to make sure that you’re not in that situation too many times because then the public will think it’s probably you instead of the other guy.”

Van Gerwen returns to Premier League action tonight in Leeds. He’ll bid to hold onto his place in the top four and edge closer to Finals Night at The O2 later this month.

The seven-time Premier League champion missed out on a play-off spot last year for only the second time in 13 years. With Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton already through, Van Gerwen sits three points adrift of Gerwyn Price in third and two points clear of Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries.

Neither of those stars have claimed a night victory this year. Van Gerwen faces Littler in the quarter-final, with the winner squaring off against Clayton or Price in the semi-final.

Should Van Gerwen fail to overcome the current world champion, the door would be left wide open for Van Veen or Humphries to leapfrog him into the play-off places. That pair will potentially meet each other in the semi-finals.