Professional darts player Nathan Aspinall has issued a stark demand for a major rule change at the World Darts Championship, calling for spectators who whistle during matches to be hit with lengthy bans.
Player Frustration Boils Over at Ally Pally
The English star, who is through to the last 32 after a 3-0 win over American Leonard Gates, has grown increasingly frustrated with disruptive crowd behaviour. While the raucous, alcohol-fuelled atmosphere at Alexandra Palace is a celebrated part of the sport, Aspinall insists that deliberate whistling crosses a line.
Unlike the hushed concentration required in tennis or golf, darts players must perform under intense pressure while fans cheer and jeer. However, whistling – often targeted at players as they aim for crucial doubles – is seen as a step too far, directly impacting concentration and throwing accuracy.
"Stop Being Muppets": A Plea to Fans
In a frank interview with The Sun, Aspinall revealed he has previously begged fans to stop during European Tour events. "I've said in EuroTours, in my on-stage interviews, will you just stop whistling, enjoy the darts, stop being muppets," he stated.
He expressed concern that calling out the problem might even encourage it, as spectators realise they can wind up the professionals. "You sit in silence, you don't do anything, it'll continue. You speak out, you say something, it'll continue," Aspinall lamented, highlighting the difficult position players are in.
The Proposed Punishment: A Five-Year Ban
Aspinall's solution is severe and clear. He believes that fans caught whistling should not merely be ejected from the venue, but should face a long-term prohibition from attending events.
"I think the people that get caught shouldn't just get kicked out, they should get banned for say five years," he proposed. "Something where they're going to feel the effects of what they've done."
He argues that such a deterrent would eventually change behaviour. "Then, once a few of them start doing it, hopefully they'll go: 'I'm absolutely gutted, I can't go to the darts, I got a five-year ban from whistling, trust me, don't do it.'"
The world number nine emphasised how fine the margins are at the top level of darts, where a single missed dart can decide a match. "And then some k***head whistles," he added, pointing out the significant impact such interference can have on the outcome.
A Growing Chorus of Complaint
Aspinall is not alone in his frustration. German player Ricardo Pietreczko, who was eliminated from this year's championship, recently spoke out about being left "p****d off" by whistling and booing during his throw in a match against Dave Chisnall.
This shared sentiment among elite players suggests that crowd conduct, particularly the act of whistling, is becoming a critical issue for the sport's governing bodies to address as the game's popularity and the stakes continue to rise.
