Luke Littler has spoken out after crowds booed him at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. During the match between Littler and his opponent Nathan Aspinall, the referee had to ask people to be quiet. This was not the first time he had been booed during the tournament. After the match, Littler said if the booing continued he would stop competing in the Netherlands entirely. Darts is known for having a lively atmosphere but the incident has got people thinking about whether booing athletes should be allowed. What do you think? Is it ok to boo sports stars?
Yes – fans should be able to boo
Booing is a part of the experience. A psychologist (an expert in how people think and feel) told BBC Sport that booing is natural at big sporting events. Sometimes, booing is more to do with a refereeing decision than the athlete. Sports stars play under pressure and the extra tension could spur some on. When Chelsea footballer Katie McCabe was booed by Arsenal fans recently, her national team coach, Carla Ward, said it made her play better. Similarly, England rugby player Henry Pollock said he enjoys being booed and that “it’s good for the game”.
No – it is wrong to put them off their game
Booing can be really off-putting for some people. In sports such as golf and tennis, even the slightest noise or movement at the wrong time can affect a player’s performance, so it’s important that crowds behave well. There are also other ways to support your favourite athlete or sports team without making other competitors feel bad, such as cheering your favourites. Being respectful is important. Some sports stars have spoken out against booing, such as Tucker Kraft, an American football player for the Green Bay Packers. When his team unexpectedly lost to the Atlanta Falcons recently, he described the crowd’s reaction as “tough” and “disappointing”, saying he didn’t think boos from his own fans were helpful.
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