### Wasps Disrupt World Darts Championship: A Bizarre Incident at Alexandra Palace The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at London's Alexandra Palace has been marked by an unusual and chaotic event involving wasps. Dutch player Jurjen van der Velde, making his championship debut, brought wasp spray onto the stage in an attempt to combat the insect problem that had been plaguing the venue. This unexpected action not only drew attention but also led to a reprimand from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) due to safety concerns, particularly regarding potential allergies among attendees [https://www.mypmp.net/wasps-wreak-havoc-at-world-darts-championship]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Reactions 1. **The Wasp Problem**: Wasps have been a recurring issue at the championship, prompting players to find creative solutions to deal with them [https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2147664/world-darts-championship-pdc-apology]. 2. **Jurjen van der Velde's Response**: In a moment that became a talking point, van der Velde walked onto the stage with insect spray, aiming to neutralize the wasps before his match against Danny Noppert [https://www.espn.co.uk/darts/story/_/id/47332374/darts-player-brings-wasp-spray-combat-ally-pally-pest]. 3. **Public Apology and PDC Reaction**: Following the incident, van der Velde issued a public apology, acknowledging that his actions could have posed risks to those allergic to wasp spray. The PDC reprimanded him for the stunt, emphasizing the need for safety in the arena [https://dartsnews.com/pdc/jurjen-van-der-velde-apologizes-after-wasp-spray-stunt-and-pdc-reprimand-there-were-people-allergic-to-it]. 4. **Match Outcome**: Despite the buzz created by the wasp incident, van der Velde lost his match 3-1, overshadowed by the chaos of the evening [https://www.archyde.com/jurjen-van-der-veldes-bug-spray-showdown-with-wasps-ends-in-a-3-1-defeat-at-the-pdc-world-darts-championship]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Incident's Impact - **Public Attention**: The wasp incident has garnered significant media coverage, with multiple outlets reporting on the unusual approach taken by van der Velde [https://uk-times.com/darts-player-brings-insect-spray-on-stage-as-wasps-wreak-havoc-at-worlds-uk-times]. - **Safety Concerns**: The PDC's response highlights the seriousness of the situation, as they emphasized the potential health risks associated with using insect spray in a crowded venue [https://dartsnews.com/pdc/video-jurjen-van-der-velde-steals-the-show-with-insect-spray-at-the-world-darts-championship-to-neutralize-the-ally-pally-wasp-but-pdc-not-pleased]. ### Conclusion: A Memorable but Controversial Championship Moment In summary, the 2025 World Darts Championship has been marked by an unexpected incident involving wasps and Jurjen van der Velde's controversial use of insect spray. 1. **Incident Overview**: Wasps disrupted the championship, leading to van der Velde's unusual response. 2. **Public Reaction**: The incident drew significant media attention and led to a public apology from the player. 3. **PDC's Stance**: The PDC's reprimand underscores the importance of safety in sporting events. This bizarre episode will likely be remembered as one of the more unusual moments in darts history, blending sportsmanship with unexpected challenges [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/darts-player-creates-buzz-bringing-224737045.html].