Adrian Lewis became embroiled in an unsavoury clash at the Czech Darts Open after seemingly being labelled 'fat' by opponent Gerwyn Price.
The pair's second round clash resulted in a shock 6-3 win for 'Jackpot' in Prague, with the two-time world champion taking out double 19 for the win. But things turned sour when he appeared to try and hug Price from behind as the Welshman turned to put his darts away.
However, the ironically nicknamed 'Iceman' appeared to lose his cool over the embrace, and quickly removed Lewis' arm from his waist. A verbal confrontation then followed before things appeared to simmer down.
Not for long though, with the two players then going nose to nose just before they exited the stage. Lewis appeared to say something in the ear of Price, which prompted a response from his notoriously fiery rival.
Since the ugly clash though, both players have moved to play down what transpired. Lewis told reporters that Price had labelled him 'fat', and joked this was clearly a miscalculation on his part.
"I don't know what that was about at the end but he had a go at me for some reason, calling me 'fat something'. He obviously doesn't realise I'm an athlete, that's where he's gone wrong there," he said.
Price, himself a world champion in 2021, also took to Instagram in attempt to bury the issue: "One that I let get to me tonight, thanks to the crowd, you were amazing. I learn every day and it only makes me stronger. Love you all and see you in London x."
The London reference regards this coming Thursday, when Night 15 of the 2022 Premier League Darts campaign takes place at The O2 Arena. Price faces Welsh compatriot Jonny Clayton, who also went out in round two courtesy of a 6-5 defeat to Jose Justicia.
But whilst both Lewis and Price seemingly buried the hatchet quickly, darts fans were quick to weigh in on the controversy. The @livedarts account posted a clip if the incident, with the line: "Tempers flare between Gerwyn Price and Adrian Lewis in Prague."
Many seemed to think that Lewis, 37, deliberately behaved provocatively. @Mathijs_Haest wrote: "Don't understand why he grabbed Price, just wait till he turns around and shake hands..."
@1stlegend added: "Lewis knew what he was doing. He does it all the time," while @stevedicko2 wrote: "What a shocker Lewis involved in controversy again?"
Former rugby player Price, 37, who recently withdrew from a charity boxing bout, didn't escape criticism either though: "Aggro between these 2?! Who’d have thought it?" asked @TaylorGurney7, while @Sam43799652 tweeted Price saying: "Big fan, but you've had a mare here."
