Scottish darts professional Cameron Menzies stunned spectators at the World Darts Championship with a shocking sequence of events that left him with a bloodied hand and facing disciplinary action.
The Dramatic Meltdown at Ally Pally
Following a dramatic first-round defeat to Charlie Manby at London's Alexandra Palace on Monday, 36-year-old Menzies unleashed his frustration on the tournament furniture. In full view of the crowd, he delivered three forceful uppercuts to his table, an act that immediately drew the attention of referee Kirk Bevins.
Bevins swiftly ushered the emotional player from the stage, with blood clearly visible streaming from Menzies' throwing hand. However, newly emerged footage suggests the injury may have begun even before the table assault.
The Shocking Preceding Act
Just moments before his explosive outburst, television coverage showed Menzies hunched over beside the stage. While the broadcast did not clarify his actions, a video captured by a spectator reveals the startling truth.
The clip shows Menzies placing his right hand directly over one of the live pyrotechnics that ignite at a match's conclusion. He held his palm down on the firework for several seconds, apparently extinguishing it with his bare skin.
This reckless act likely caused burns, compounding the injuries sustained from punching the table. Medical staff later attended to Menzies, who left the venue for treatment with a potentially broken hand.
Apology and Consequences
Menzies, who also suffered a tearful first-round exit last year, quickly issued a public apology for his behaviour. He cited significant personal struggles, including the recent passing of his uncle, Gary, but stressed these were not excuses.
"First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened. I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did," Menzies stated. "It's not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently... It has not been an easy time for me."
He added that a potential second-round match would have fallen on the day of his uncle's funeral, a fact that weighed heavily on him. He concluded by congratulating his opponent, Charlie Manby, on his performance.
The incident has been reported to the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), which is expected to impose a fine. PDC chief executive Matt Porter confirmed support was offered to the player, emphasising that wellbeing was the immediate priority.
"I spoke with Cameron and his management before he left the venue, and he knows there is support available from the PDC and the PDPA," Porter said. "Any incident of this nature is reported to the Darts Regulation Authority for review."
The extraordinary episode marks a dramatic and painful start to the World Championship for the Scottish thrower, who now faces a recovery period and official sanction.
