Kim Huybrechts has revealed an altercation with Michael van Gerwen at a Pro Tour event nearly sparked a complaint.
The incident took place a week prior to the World Cup of Darts where Belgium emphatically dumped out the Netherlands.
The Belgium team was under the spotlight given the public issues between teammates Dimitri Van den Bergh and Huybrechts.
The tensions stem from a complaint made to the PDC last year by Van den Bergh and compatriot Mike De Decker against Huybrechts which resulted in a fine.
‘The Hurricane’ revealed to the Double Top podcast that Van Gerwen used the fractured Belgian relationship to wind him up.
Michael van Gerwen took aim at Kim Huybrechts
Huybrechts admitted that the pair had words off the oche and divulged what the Dutchman allegedly said to him.
He said: “A week before the World Cup of Darts, Michael came up to me at a Players Championship. We had a little bit of words then. So he suddenly said, ‘Hey Kim, who are you going to play with at the World Cup of Darts because I heard that he [Van den Bergh] doesn’t want to throw with you.’
“Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh were also there and given the strained relations, that was not a nice situation.”
Huybrechts admitted: “I even inquired with the PDC to file a complaint, but when they said I had to send an email for that I left it as it was, I didn’t feel like it.”
Mind games backfired for Van Gerwen
Some players have mastered the dark arts in darts.
‘Crafty Cockney’ Eric Bristow was an expert in winding his opponents up and Peter Manley made a career from it.
Huybrechts punished ‘Mighty Mike’, however, after he and teammate Van den Bergh thrashed the Netherlands 8-2 in Frankfurt.
Few fans dislike ‘needle’ between dart players; it adds character and tension to the sport which creates more drama on stage.
If the two meet again this year, expect a feisty affair as the three-time World Champion looks to heal his wounds and level the score.