Michael van Gerwen slams Russ Bray for putting his stamp on the match too much

Michael van Gerwen has criticised iconic darts referee Russ Bray for his attempts to stop whistling from the crowd during night 11 of the Premier League.

Van Gerwen is a firm favourite in Aberdeen and received the 8,000-strong crowd's full support as he took on Jonny Clayton in the final. Clayton, meanwhile, had to put up with boos and incessant whistling as he went to throw.

The situation reached its nadir in the final two legs of the match as one idiot fan kept whistling when Clayton stepped up to the oche. The Ferret appeared visibly distracted as Bray tried to bring order to the raucous crowd.

However, Bray's attempts to restore calm clearly irked MVG. During the final leg, the Dutchman could be seen remonstrating with the iconic referee as he was about to throw.

After Clayton clinched an unlikely comeback victory, the pair shook hands before an unimpressed Van Gerwen marched over to Bray to complain.

The pair went at it for a good few seconds as both men tried to explain their positions. The Green Machine then walked off the stage as Clayton went over and spoke to Bray.

Van Gerwen has now told his side of the story in an interview with Dutch outlet Sportnieuws.nl. He said: "I think he (referee Russ Bray) put his stamp on this match too much.

"That 'thank you' from him to the public happens every time I have to throw. But I can't blame that. I just have to learn from this," Van Gerwen said.

The three-time world champion had been slightly more cryptic in his frustration in a tweet after the event on Thursday evening. He wrote: "It wasn’t to be in the final but more points on the table. Well done to @JonnyClay9.

"At the end I was annoyed about something else, nothing to do with the fans. The atmosphere was brilliant in Aberdeen this evening thank you Scotland. Now for a weekend with my family."

Do you agree with Van Gerwen's comments? Let us know in the comments section.

Despite his frustration at Bray and his defeat to Clayton, Van Gerwen is still the man to catch at the top of the Premier League table.

MVG is a point clear of Clayton, who, in turn, is three ahead of James Wade and Peter Wright. Joe Cullen is next on 15 points before a gap to Gerwyn Price on 11, Michael Smith on eight and Gary Anderson on seven.

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