Darts superstar Michael van Gerwen has found himself in hot water—and significantly out of pocket—following a late-night scuffle at a kebab shop in his native Netherlands. Reports indicate the multiple-time world champion has been ordered to pay a six-figure sum in connection with the incident, adding a financial sting to a night that was already well off-target.
The altercation, which occurred last year, saw Van Gerwen embroiled in a multi-man brawl inside a kebab establishment. Video footage that quickly circulated on social media showed the darts legend at the center of a chaotic scuffle near the counter, grappling with a man in a cap as punches were thrown by other individuals. At the time, Van Gerwen downplayed the severity of the event, stating the situation was resolved quickly.
“After an enjoyable night out, we wanted to grab something to eat, and unfortunately, I ended up in a situation you’d rather avoid,” Van Gerwen told Darts News shortly after the incident. “The man came at me from the kitchen, not the other way round, following a verbal exchange. People are making it sound more dramatic than it actually was, which is a shame.” He added that he even spoke with the man’s nephew afterward to clear the air.
However, the legal fallout appears to have been severe. The financial penalty is likely linked to damages or a settlement arising from the brawl. The incident came during a particularly difficult period for the player, who had confirmed the end of his marriage just months earlier and had taken time away from the sport to deal with the personal fallout.
This is not the first time Van Gerwen has been involved in off-stage drama. In another incident earlier this year, he was caught in a physical altercation during a royal celebration in Den Bosch, where he was seen chasing his attacker before security intervened. Despite those incidents, Van Gerwen remains a dominant force on the oche and continues to headline major tournaments on the darts calendar.
As of now, neither Van Gerwen nor his representatives have commented publicly on the specifics of the financial penalty.
