Sky Sports apologised to viewers after a gesture which could have been construed as offensive to disabled people by Gerwyn Price during his victory over Jose de Sousa.
Welshman Price was competing in the last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace when he became frustrated at a failed 180 attempt.
Having hit two consecutive treble 20s, Price's third dart strayed into the single 5. He stuck his tongue behind his bottom lip and held his hands out in front of him in disgust at the dart.
Several viewers took to Twitter to voice their displeasure at Price's antics.
One said: “What was this from Price at the darts? @Gezzyprice this is disgusting behaviour! This was after he missed a shot. @SkySports this is not okay.”
Another added: "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 third commented: "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."
Price went on to win the match 4-1, with the comfortable victory securing his place in the quarter-finals as he bids to add a second world crown to his tally.
He hit eight 180s, but his average of just over 94 is unlikely to see him lift the silverware if he does not improve over the remainder of the tournament.
"I ground out a win. I just wanted to get up there and win, it doesn't matter about the performance," he said. "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."
In a statement, the PDC said: "Gerwyn has been reminded of the standards expected of him as a professional. He has stressed to us that it was a spontaneous gesture and he did not intend for it to cause offence.
"He is upset to think that anyone may think otherwise and would like to apologise sincerely for any distress he may have caused."
