What was supposed to be a laid-back evening for darts star Michael van Gerwen ended in unexpected drama inside a kebab shop.
The three-time world champion, known for his fierce focus on the dartboard, suddenly found himself at the center of a heated scuffle late Saturday night.
Videos shared online quickly went viral, showing Van Gerwen locked in a five-man tussle near the counter.
At one point, he was seen grappling with a man in a cap before managing to step away as punches began flying around him.
Van Gerwen’s Side of the Story
As the footage spread, speculation grew about what really happened.
Van Gerwen, 36, wasted no time in clarifying the situation. Speaking to Darts News, he explained that things were being blown out of proportion.
“After a fun night out, we just wanted to grab something to eat,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it turned into something you’d rather avoid.
The man came at me from the kitchen following a verbal exchange—it wasn’t me going after him. People are making it sound more dramatic than it was.”
He went on to add that bystanders quickly stepped in to calm things down.
Remarkably, he even spoke with the man’s nephew afterwards, and the two sides were able to clear the air before leaving the shop.
A Rare Break from the Game
The timing of the incident added to the buzz, since Van Gerwen was actually on a rare weekend off.
He had withdrawn from the Swiss Darts Trophy, so fans were curious about how he was spending his downtime.
Where exactly he had been before the kebab shop encounter is still unclear.
A Difficult Year Off the Stage
For Van Gerwen, this clash comes during what has already been a tough year.
Back in May, he confirmed the heartbreaking end of his marriage to Daphne after more than a decade together.
The pair share two children, Mike and Zoe, and the news came as a shock to many in the darts community.
At the time, he announced that he would step back from tournaments to deal with the personal turmoil, telling fans: “It is with great sadness that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship.
I’m sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust they will understand my decision.”
Coping with Change
Earlier this month, Van Gerwen opened up about how he’s handling life after the split.
Speaking to Dutch outlet AD, he admitted it hasn’t been easy but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
“At some point, you want to focus on nice things again, not just the difficulties you’re going through,” he explained.
“You could sit around grieving all day, but that’s pointless.
So you do fun things, take time for yourself, and find a way to keep going.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the off-stage turbulence, Van Gerwen isn’t stepping away from the sport for long.
He’s expected to return to competitive action next week in Leicester, where he’ll fight for a spot in the Players Championship Finals.
For fans, it’s a reminder that even champions face battles away from the spotlight—and sometimes, they unfold in the most unexpected places, like a late-night kebab shop.