Cameron Menzies faces potential disciplinary action after World Darts Championship outburst
Cameron Menzies remains at risk of disciplinary action from the Professional Darts Corporation despite an immediate show of support from the sport’s governing bodies following his explosive on-stage outburst at the World Darts Championship, reports BritPanorama.
The Scot was eliminated 3–2 by debutant Charlie Manby at Alexandra Palace before repeatedly punching a table on the stage in full view of the crowd. The incident left Menzies with a deep cut to his hand that required hospital treatment and prompted referee intervention as officials instructed him to leave the stage.
While the PDC has moved quickly to offer welfare support, the governing process that could yet lead to punishment has already been triggered. Any such incident is automatically referred to the Darts Regulation Authority, which will now review Menzies’ conduct and determine whether sanctions are warranted.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter confirmed that sequence shortly after the match, while stressing that player wellbeing would take precedence. “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, but our main priority is the player’s health and wellbeing.”
The outcome of that review could range from a fine to a suspension, though no decision has yet been announced. Menzies’ apology and the circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to form part of the assessment. Support has also come from within the playing fraternity.
Former world champion Peter Wright, who has previously helped Menzies during difficult periods, defended his compatriot while acknowledging the emotional strain elite players place on themselves. “Cam is an awesome darts player,” Wright said. “Obviously, he believed in his ability in his game to do well in this tournament and push yourself up the rankings, which is what everyone wants to do.”
Menzies later issued a full public apology, accepting responsibility for the outburst while revealing the personal pressures that had been building in the background. “First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened,” Menzies said. “I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did. It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.”
The 36-year-old explained that the recent death of an uncle had weighed heavily throughout the tournament. “It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently,” Menzies said. “I saw him four days before he died and he gave me a look which told how much he thought of me.”
Menzies was keen to reiterate that the circumstances did not excuse his behaviour or detract from Manby’s achievement. “Let me say again, that’s no excuse for what I did on the stage,” he said. “It was the wrong thing to do and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well. This is not how I would like people to view me.”
In the world of darts, where the line between pressure and performance can be tenuous, Menzies’ experience serves as a stark reminder of how the game can provoke intense emotions — and how even the fiercest competitors can find themselves on an unforeseen precipice.
