Nathan Aspinall encourages crowd chant during World Darts Championship
Nathan Aspinall was caught appearing to urge the Alexandra Palace crowd to continue their explicit chant directed at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the World Darts Championship, reports BritPanorama.
The incident unfolded as Aspinall secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over American player Leonard Gates. Spectators at Ally Pally loudly sang “Keir Starmer is a w****r” during the second set of the match. As the chanting grew increasingly louder, Aspinall was observed gesturing to the crowd with his arms in an up-and-down motion, clearly encouraging fans to maintain and amplify their singing.
Sky Sports was compelled to censor the broadcast as the anti-Starmer chants rang out through the venue. The win secured Aspinall’s place in the last 32 of the tournament, which has seen prior instances of similar censorship aimed at chants directed at the Prime Minister during darts events.
This ongoing trend has prompted the broadcaster to remain vigilant, with similar interventions required during the World Grand Prix in October, when Stephen Bunting faced Danny Noppert. The repeated need for censorship highlights an ongoing challenge for televised darts events, where the boisterous Ally Pally atmosphere frequently produces chants that cannot be aired without intervention.
Aspinall now turns his attention to Kevin Doets, with a place in the final 16 at stake in their upcoming encounter. The English thrower admitted his head-to-head record against the Dutchman leaves much to be desired. “Kevin, he’s a great dart player, I’ve got an awful record against Kevin,” Aspinall noted. He revealed the two have been chatting frequently at the players’ hotel, describing his opponent as both talented and personable.
Despite acknowledging his struggles against Doets in previous meetings, Aspinall expressed confidence that quality opposition would elevate his own game. In a lighter moment, he recounted a recent scare before their matchup, stemming from Gates approaching him wearing a Chewbacca mask, remarking, “Honest to God, I can’t say it, I nearly pooed my pants.”
As the drama unfolds in the unique atmosphere of darts, it serves as a reminder of how swiftly sport and politics can intertwine, reflecting the vibrant unpredictability of the sporting landscape.
