Darts World Matchplay 2013: Bristow Blasts Cheats Amid Phil Taylor Controversy

Ahead of his quarter-final in the Darts World Matchplay 2013, Phil Taylor has been caught up in a cheating controversy.

During Taylor’s clash with Dean Winstanley at last month’s Gibraltar Darts Trophy, which Taylor went on to win, the world No. 1 appeared to hit double-12 to win a leg on his way to a 6-1 victory.

Referee Russ Bray failed to spot that the dart had actually landed outside the double, which was shown on television footage, and the leg was awarded to 16-time world champion Taylor.

The incident was widely commented on on social networking sites, with the footage available on YouTube.

Eric Bristow, a former world champion himself and the man who persuaded Taylor to turn professional after spotting his potential on the darts circuit, told the Sun that players will know when a dart has not found its target.

“The player knows if it’s not in and has to declare it,” Bristow told the Sun. “You don’t want cheats.”

The Professional Darts Corporation issued a statement on its website in light of the furore, while tournament director Tommy Cox confirmed Taylor had offered to replay the match.

PDC tournament director Cox confirmed:

"

I spoke with both players and the referee and Phil offered to replay the match, which under the rules is not an option, and Dean confirmed that he wants to put the incident behind him and concentrate on his next event.

I would like to reassure the public that that fairness, transparency and integrity are top priorities of the PDC and this unusual episode is purely attributable to a rare human error from the referee.

"

Keith Deller, the 1983 world champion, took to Twitter to defend Bristow—suggesting his comments had been taken out of context.

Taylor faces Justin Pipe in the quarter-finals of the Darts World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Thursday.