Darts Star's Wife Enters Fray as War of Words Erupts Over 'Horrible' Accusations
The wife of darts professional Michael Smith has become embroiled in a fiery verbal confrontation with opponent Mickey Mansell, following a surprising result at the recent Poland Darts Masters tournament. The incident has ignited a public spat between the two players and their supporters, highlighting tensions within the sport.
Controversial Match Sparks Heated Exchange
Mickey Mansell secured a notable 6-3 victory over Michael Smith during the qualifying rounds for the Poland Darts Masters, a win that guaranteed his place in the main event. However, the aftermath of the match quickly turned contentious. Smith, the 35-year-old 2023 world champion, took to Facebook to express his frustration, posting scathing remarks that have since been deleted.
In his now-removed post, Smith wrote: "Imagine doing that to win a game. Tinkerbell won't come along and move your darts for you. No need [to] stand looking at the board for 15 seconds. Horrible mentality. And a horrible player." This criticism appeared to target Mansell's deliberate and measured approach at the oche, a style that has occasionally irritated opponents throughout his career.
Wife Jumps to Defence in Social Media Spat
The conflict escalated when Michael Smith subsequently withdrew from qualifying for the second European tour competition in Gottingen next month, citing ongoing injury concerns. Upon learning this news, Mickey Mansell, 52, seized the opportunity to take a swipe at his rival on social media platform X.
Mansell posted: "Shoulda been a boxer! ! Knocked one man outta 2 tournaments." This prompted an immediate response from Smith's wife, Dagmara, who fiercely defended her husband. She retorted: "No you shouldn't, your moves are too slow for that." Her intervention added a personal dimension to the already heated exchange between the two darts professionals.
Injury Struggles and Professional Setbacks
Michael Smith's withdrawal from the Gottingen event represents another significant setback for the player, who has been grappling with persistent injuries and a noticeable decline in form in recent months. Known affectionately as 'Bully Boy', Smith has slipped to world number 32 in the rankings, a considerable drop from his previous standing.
Discussing his physical challenges on Facebook, Smith posted: "Just want to show what happens now when I travel and what the pressure of the plane does to me. It's not sympathy or anything, it's just annoying because I put myself through this to play the sport I love and it just infuriates me, I have to deal with tactics like that."
He continued: "It shouldn't bother me but it does because it makes me question why I bother to put up with the pain and suffering to please everyone else over my health. This was Sunday night just after I landed. And this is what I have to deal with now for, no doubt, the rest of my life."
Tournament Performance and Future Prospects
At the Poland Darts Masters, Smith had successfully overcome opponents Jeffrey Sparidaans and Samuels Price before falling to Mansell in the qualifying round. Mansell will now take his place in the main draw for next week's event, capitalising on his victory.
Looking ahead, Michael Smith is scheduled to compete in the Players Championship next week, despite having secured only one victory in the first two events of 2026. His recent struggles were further compounded by his failure to qualify for the main draw at the World Masters in Milton Keynes, adding to what has become a challenging period for the former world champion.
The public exchange between Smith, his wife Dagmara, and Mickey Mansell has captured attention within the darts community, highlighting how on-table rivalries can spill over into personal conflicts. As both players prepare for upcoming tournaments, this war of words serves as a reminder of the intense pressures and emotions that characterise professional darts competition.
