Sky Sports apologise for ‘disgusting’ gesture made by Gerwyn Price that appears to mock disabled people during the WDC

SKY SPORTS apologised to viewers after a "disgusting" gesture made by Gerwyn Price.

The Welshman has been in action for the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace this week.

The 37-year-old could face a potential darts charge for his reaction in the third leg of the fifth set of his 4-1 victory over Jose de Sousa at the PDC World Darts Championship.

After failing a 180 attempt by missing a third consecutive triple 20, Price gesticulated to show his angst.

He stuck his tongue beneath his bottom lip while placing his hands out in front of him, in a way which could have been construed as offensive to disabled viewers.

Price has since apologised for any offence caused and insisted it was a “spontaneous gesture”.

Many watching at home were unhappy, and one wrote on social media: "What was this from Price at the darts? This is disgusting behaviour. This was after he missed a shot. Sky Sports, this is not OK."

A further user added: "The comments saying people need to get a grip over what #GerwynPrice did? Say that to millions of disabled people that have had to put up with that every day."

And a third fan wrote: "This man has children and as a famous sportsperson supposed to be a role model for other children.

"Disgraceful behaviour and if I hear correctly it was literally just because he missed a 180 - not acceptable."

While a fourth tweeted: "Never understood the dislike towards Gerwyn Price, until today.

"Top dart player but to have this in your locker as a reaction to a poor shot (for him) says a lot. @SkySportsDarts & OfficialPDC got to do something, brand damaging doesn’t even cover it."

A fifth claimed: "Gerwyn Price should be out the tournament, disgusting behaviour."

Another urged action from the PDC, tweeting: "@OfficialPDC This is NOT acceptable behaviour from a so called professional darts player and needs to be dealt with ASAP!!!!"

While a further user blasted: "Always disliked Gerwyn Price but that celebration just confirms what a w*** the guy actually is! Don’t try butter it up - it was deliberate and we all know what he was mocking!"

Sky Sports' present Emma Paton later issued an apology live on air in case anyone had taken offence.

SunSport have contacted the PDC to see if the world No 1 will face any further punishment.

It is likely the footage will be referred to the Darts Regulation Authority, which looks after disciplinary matters.

Price is a fiery character on the stage and has had his conflicts with players in the past, most notably during the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts final against Gary Anderson.

The former rugby union hooker overstepped the mark in that tournament and was handed a world-record fine of £21,500, later reduced by £10,000, for bringing the sport into disrepute and gamesmanship.

Overall last night it was a very patchy performance by Price against The Special One as he became the first man to reach the quarter-finals.

The Welshman overcame his doubles troubles — he missed 28 of them across four sets — to eliminate his stubborn Portuguese opponent.

The 2021 world champion will now face either German Gabriel Clemens or Scottish firefighter Alan Soutar in the last eight on New Year's Day.

Speaking after his latest victory, the controversial darts star said: "I ground out a win. I just wanted to get up there and win, it doesn't matter about the performance.

"It was just one of those games where I had to get over the winning line, and that is what I did.

"I was battling against myself and against him, but it is what it is - you come up against certain players and circumstances, so you just have to deal with it.

"I felt comfortable through the game and always felt I was going to win, it was just a matter of time."

Earlier in the tournament, Sky were forced to lower the volume of the crowd during Price's second round clash.

During his match with Luke Woodhouse, abuse could be heard being aimed at The Iceman from the Ally Pally crowd.