Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld could face each other one last time… in VIRTUAL darts in living rooms
PHIL TAYLOR and Raymond van Barneveld could face each other one more time – in their own living rooms.
SunSport understands the two greatest darts players in history are in talks to give sports-starved fans a much-needed fix.
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Joint sponsors Target Darts want the duo to take part in a charity match to be streamed live on Facebook next month.
Taylor, the 16-time world darts champion, could play from his home in Stoke against old foe Barney, a five-time world champion, in Holland on the .
This would be the latest version of El Dartico though they would be separated by countries in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Power, 59, said: “Everyone is craving for some live sport at these difficult times.
“And maybe we can lighten the mood of the UK public and also make money for worthwhile charities.
“I always love playing Barney, we have had some incredible battles down the years, and though we wouldn’t be in the same room, it would still be competitive as ever.”
Sport might be cancelled worldwide – but home darts could be the solution to all of our problems.
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For those who want something to watch or bet on – rather than perhaps Mongolian dog-racing or Peruvian sheep trials – then maybe household arrows is the cure.
Top promoter Barry Hearn last week told SunSport he would look for innovative ways to present sport to the British public.
Especially now everything has been cancelled for March and most of April in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Top pros like world No1 Michael van Gerwen or world champion Peter Wright might find themselves stranded with their families and unable to travel on governmental advice.
Yet there is nothing stopping the world’s best players from filming and streaming themselves over the internet throwing against each other on their respective home boards.
In essence, this already happens at soft-tip level, which is massive in Japan and the Far East.
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The , which was first launched in November 2018, enables up to four punters to play against each other around the world.
Players can talk – or perhaps even sledge – each other through the in-game microphones.
It’s available in English, German and Japanese languages and games range from Cricket, 501 and 301.