‘Every player hates it’ – Darts star demands PDC takes immediate action on ‘problem’

Wait 5 sec.

Ricardo Pietreczko has suggested that more security is needed at the World Darts Championship to help combat whistling from fans.Some of the Alexandra Palace crowd whistled at Pietreczko during his second round win against Dave Chisnall on Saturday.Pietreczko held on to beat Chisnall 3-2 despite whistles from the crowdGettyThe German didn’t let the noise distract him from victory, but other players have taken issue with the crowd behaviour.Mike De Decker called out the Ally Pally spectators following his shock first round defeat to David Munyua.“But the crowd wow… Booing and whistling shouldn’t be something that’s normal or supported,” he said on an Instagram story.Pietreczko’s ‘problem’Speaking after his win against Chisnall, Pietreczko was asked about a change in crowd support during the final set.“The booing is not the problem, but the whistling [is],” he explained.“The concentration is missed in the moment, and I think every player hates it.”When asked about what could be changed to deal with whistles from fans, he said: “I don’t know. More security for the crowd? “It’s difficult. It’s similar whistling, loud whistling… I can’t say [what needs to be done].”A reporter then asked Pietreczko if he and other players speak about whistling when they’re backstage at the World Darts Championship.“No, we don’t speak backstage about this, no,” he confirmed.Pietreczko voiced his issues with noises from the crowdGetty“I think, nobody can change the crowd because it’s happening,” he later added.“I can say to the crowd, ‘Don’t whistle’, but I think everyone knows the crowd doesn’t change.”Who does Pietreczko play next?Pietreczko is into the third round of the World Darts Championship for a third consecutive year.He will face Andreas Harrysson, who pulled off a first round shock by beating Ross Smith before a win over Motomu Sakai.“I hope for a good game,” Pietreczko said of his next match.“Maybe I can beat him, and maybe I stay for the fourth round.”