MICHAEL SMITH’S ongoing feud with Mickey Mansell isn’t going away any time soon.
The former Darts World Champion lost 6-3 to the Irishman at the Belgian Darts Open a couple of weeks ago and was furious with the slow play from his opponent.
Smith said: “Imagine doing that to win a game. Tinkerbell won’t come along and move your darts for you. No need stand looking at the board for 15 seconds. Horrible mentality. And horrible player.
“His throw doesn’t bother me, it’s the standing looking at his darts for 15 seconds hoping Harry Potter does a spell and moves one of them.”
Mansell didn’t seem particularly moved by Smith’s criticism.
“Obviously I’ve got plenty I’d like to say but what’s the point?
He said: “Opinions are like a**holes everyone has one!”
Smith isn’t the only big name player to encounter problems with Mansell. James Wade is another who has had frosty encounters with him.
Now Smith will have to face Mansell again, this time in a European qualifier where everyone is going to have an eye on the tense rivalry.
Mansell snubbed shaking Smith’s pre-match handshake last time they met and Smith has since gone on Facebook to explain what has left him so annoyed.
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According to Smith, his ankles are suffering badly flying around the continent. He doesn’t like jeopardising his health to then deal with what he interprets as Mansell’s ‘tactics’.
“Just want to show what happens now when I travel and what the pressure of the plane does to me.
“It’s not sympathy or anything it’s just annoying because I put myself through this to play the sport I love and just infuriates me, I have to deal with tactics like that.
“It shouldn’t bother me but it does because it makes me question myself why do I bother to put up with the pain and suffering to please everyone else over my health.
“This was Sunday night just after I landed. And this what I have to deal with now for no doubt rest of my life.
“And I know flying tomorrow, it will be bad again for another few days before it settles again. But please Ignore my trotters by the way.”
