Former darts star Paul Nicholson believes James Wade should be investigated after his ‘disgusting’ act in his UK Open quarter-final with Luke Humphries.
Wade produced a stellar performance in his last-eight matchup with the World No.1, edging a last-leg decider to knock Humphries out and advance to the semi-finals.
Wade would go on to reach the finals but the World No.11 was ultimately blown away by Luke Littler who stormed to his fifth major TV title with a commanding 11-2 win.
While the 41-year-old was no match for Littler in the Minehead final, it was his antics against Humphries that have had fans talking on social media since Sunday.
In a tense affair, neither player shock hands before their last-leg decider, with Humphries then appearing to shoulder barge Wade as he left the stage following the match.
But that cagey atmosphere was likely spurred on by a bizarre pre-match incident which saw Wade lick Humphries’ neck as the two embraced after their walk ons.
Former major champion Nicholson was not a fan of Wade’s pre-match antics believes that he should now face an investigation.
‘There had seemingly been tensions building throughout and they didn’t exchange the usual handshake or fist bump before the deciding leg, while Wade licking Humphries’ neck before the match began may have been an issue,’ Nicholson wrote in Sporting Life.
‘I think sometimes as a competitor, you have to draw a line and say, ‘If you are going to play games and do things within a competitive environment that cross the line, then don’t expect respect in return’.
‘The photograph that surfaced of James sticking his tongue out and touched Luke’s neck was disgusting and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was investigated.
‘Whether that was one of the things that bothered Luke or not, the fact he left the stage in the manner he did after the match wasn’t anything to do with being a ‘bad loser’. If James hadn’t done anything provocative, Luke’s reaction to defeat would have been very different.’
In a since-deleted post on social media shorly after his defeat, Humphries hit out at Wade’s antics during the match.
‘Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport,’ wrote Humphries.
‘I wasn’t going to give someone who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game a hug and be all happy about it, that’s just my honesty.’
Humphries and Littler are back in action on Thursday for the next night of the Premier League in Brighton.
The World No.1 has already won two of the first four nights and sits top of the table on 15 points, while Littler is his closest rival in second with one night win and eight points.
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