Anderson: Call time on cheats

GARY ANDERSON has demanded a clampdown on cheating at next week’s World Championship.

The two-time world champion hit out at the distraction techniques players were employing at the Grand Slam of Darts last month.

And now The Flying Scotsman has gone further in calling for match officials to take direct action against the dirty darters. Anderson (above) said: “One of the big problems is what I call cheating. Others may say it’s gamesmanship, but to me it’s cheating.

“I just get on stage and throw my darts. I don’t talk, or sing or whistle, or fart, or click my heels, or spray deep heat so it makes my opponents’ eyes water. There are so many players now who do these things.

“I’m not the only one they do it to – I’m just a bit more vocal than the others who are annoyed by it. “The officials on stage should be aware of what is going on but I don’t think they feel they have the authority to stop play and reprimand. I’d like to see everyone just play darts and not mess about and try and win by means other than their ability.” Anderson’s opening match at London’s Alexandra Palace has been pushed back to December 23 because he is self-isolating. “I will be spending my 50th birthday alone and in isolation,” he said. “Everyone is in a bubble so we are tested then quarantined till our result comes back. It just happens to be my birthday the day I’ll be getting mine.” Anderson does not see the landmark birthday as an issue – defending champion Peter Wright triumphed at 49 last year and Phil Taylor won at 52. “Age isn’t a barrier at all,” he said.