Darts Star Michael van Gerwen Criticised for Excessive Party Behaviour
Renowned darts professional Michael van Gerwen has come under fire from a fellow player for his alcohol-fuelled celebrations following PSV Eindhoven's dramatic Eredivisie title victory. Vincent van der Voort, a close friend and colleague, publicly admonished van Gerwen's conduct, describing it as "beyond embarrassment" in a recent podcast appearance.
Celebrations Spark Professional Concerns
The controversy stems from van Gerwen's decision to skip the Players Championship double header in Wigan this week to instead join festivities celebrating PSV's sensational league triumph. The Dutch football giants secured the championship earlier this month with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Utrecht, coinciding with rivals Feyenoord dropping crucial points against FC Volendam.
As a lifelong PSV supporter, van Gerwen was captured on video wearing what appeared to be a bucket hat and singing enthusiastically while dancing through the night. These images circulated widely, prompting van der Voort to issue a stern warning to the world number four ranked player.
Van der Voort's Blunt Assessment
Speaking candidly on the Darts Draait Door Podcast, van der Voort expressed his concerns while acknowledging the need for diplomatic phrasing. "Now I have to watch what I say, otherwise I'll have his fan club after me saying it's fine and the lad should enjoy himself," he began cautiously.
The fellow Dutch darts professional revealed he had sent van Gerwen a direct message after viewing the celebratory footage, offering two pointed pieces of advice: "You should never sing again" and "Never wear that swim cap again. Come on, that's not on."
Despite his criticism, van der Voort conceded that van Gerwen appeared to be having "an absolutely brilliant night" and acknowledged the player's well-documented enthusiasm for social gatherings. "You can't say he doesn't enjoy a party. He's there anytime, anywhere," he noted, adding that despite personal challenges, van Gerwen currently seems to be "having the time of his life."
Psychological Context Behind the Behaviour
Van der Voort provided insight into what might be driving van Gerwen's recent party-centric behaviour, suggesting it represents a delayed adolescence of sorts. "You shouldn't forget that from the age of fifteen or sixteen he was only focused on darts," he explained. "He never went out with his friends, was always thinking about the next tournament and the pressure that came with it."
The analysis continued: "Now he has time to really let off steam, something he hasn't experienced all that time. You have to hope this phase doesn't last too long. He's behaving a bit like a twenty-year-old going completely wild. At some point you hope he'll think that darts is his number one priority."
Personal Circumstances and Professional Outlook
Van Gerwen's celebratory behaviour comes against the backdrop of significant personal changes, including his separation from wife Daphne Govers last year, which coincided with a noticeable dip in his competitive performances. The three-time world champion appears to be embracing his new circumstances, recently joking about his marital status during a promotional video for Cinch alongside fellow player Gian van Veen.
When asked by a fan if he cooks, van Gerwen laughed and replied: "When you are a divorced man you have to cook for your kids." He identified pasta dishes and roast dinners as his preferred culinary creations.
Following his absence from this week's competitive action, van Gerwen is scheduled to return to professional darts on home soil when the Premier League resumes in Rotterdam, where he will face Jonny Clayton. This upcoming appearance will be closely watched by observers curious to see whether his celebratory interlude has affected his competitive edge.
