Darts stars kicked out of hotel after World Championship wins and left 'disgusted'

Two darts players were left searching for somewhere to sleep after being kicked out of their hotel near the historic Lakeside venue. Francois Schweyen and Sybren Gijbels have been playing at the World Championship organised by the WDF, the second-biggest organisation behind the PDC. They both secured victories on Wednesday to reach the last 16, beating Jeffrey Sparidaans and Marcus Maier respectively.

However, they were unable to enjoy their successes after being presented with a logistical nightmare. The two players were asked to leave the tournament hotel following their wins, with 'overbooking' cited as the reason. As a result, they were forced to pay out of their own pockets for alternative accommodation.

A player's stay is usually extended automatically following a win at a WDF-sanctioned event. However, a clause in the small print states that rooms are subject to availability and the two players were informed that was no longer guaranteed.

They were supposed to be staying at the Lakeside Leisure Complex, which offers just 98 rooms. Former darts player Tanguy Borra lashed out at the WDF over their treatment of the players, claiming the hotel was not fit for purpose due to its small size.

Borra told Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad: "They'd barely entered the players' room when a piece of paper was shoved in their faces with the names of four hotels on it.

"They were told, bluntly, that the hotel in Lakeside was fully booked and that they had to find another one. This can't be right? We're at a World Championship here, and players are treated so horribly. Okay, it's not the professional world, but still.

"Players like Francois and Sybren don't have much money to begin with, so they don't book for an entire World Championship week. They take a room for the night they have to play, and then their stay is automatically extended.

"At least, that's how it normally works, and that's what it says in the WDF contract. Only, it also says in small letters: 'If available.' And now they've suddenly invoked that. Unbelievable."

Borra also revealed that both players were 'disgusted' and felt unable to celebrate their victories as a result of the situation.

"Things simply have to improve," he added. "Where on earth is this going? They're clinging to Lakeside because it looks good on their bill, but that's where it ends.

"These players here are happy to be playing in a World Championship and are largely here on their own resources. Then you reach the last 16 and get the message to get lost. Unheard of.

"At one point, Francois just wanted to go home, he was so disgusted. The same goes for Sybren. They didn't celebrate a World Cup victory, but it didn't happen.

"How sad is that? 'Sorry, we're fully booked. Pack your bags. Here's a list of hotels to book a room at.' I'm speechless. This is simply unacceptable."