A lad who spent £300 to watch the World Darts Championship claims he was denied entry and branded a 'massive security risk' - because he dressed as a Just Stop Oil protestor.
Ben Clift says he saw a fan wearing the environmental activists' branded clothing at last year's tournament at Alexandra Palace, London, so decided to copy it. The 18-year-old tweeted a snap of himself sitting cross-legged in the middle of a road while wearing an orange t-shirt and bucket hat with Just Stop Oil written across it.
When he and a pal tried to enter the famous venue last month [Dec 19] he claims door staff called the head of security who denied them entry as they were a 'massive security risk'. Ben says he told workers it was a joke, gave them his costume and put on a plain blue t-shirt in a desperate attempt to gain entry but they still wouldn't let him in.
He says he spent £50 on the ticket, £100 on a train from Bolton in Greater Manchester, £90 on a hotel for the night and £80 on drinks before heading to Alexandra Palace. The fire security worker says he was 'gutted' to miss the event and believes security staff should have let him in after he removed the costume.
The Professional Darts Corporation's (PDC) ticket terms and conditions state 'while fancy dress is permitted, spectators wearing costumes which are deemed politically insensitive or offensive will not be admitted'. The PDC confirmed a man was refused entry for wearing clothing 'displaying messages relating to activist protests'.
Ben admits he read the warning before the first round evening session, which saw three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen play, but he 'wasn't sure' if the costume was political.
Ben said: "I was gutted. I'd come all the way from Bolton and spent so much money then they said I couldn't come in.
"I get where they're coming from but I think it was a bit harsh to ruin my night over something that was just a joke. I do regret it slightly. I was really looking forward to it and I was excited to see Michael van Gerwen play that day.
"I saw someone else [dress as a Just Stop Oil protestor] the year before but apparently they've just changed the rules. They say on the website no political things but I wasn't sure if it was political.
"When I was walking in they just said 'no chance'. I thought I could just take that off and I'd be alright so I gave them all my stuff and then wore a different t-shirt.
"The people on security at the front said it's fine but they had to ring the head of security and when he came down he said I wouldn't be allowed through because it was a massive security risk. We explained to them we obviously weren't Just Stop Oil people and we were just taking the mick and they said 'we know you're not but it's a security risk'.
"They just had our word but it was pretty obvious that an 18-year-old lad that was a bit drunk wasn't going to be a Just Stop Oil person. We told the other lads to go in because we didn't want to ruin their night.
"We just went to the pub at Ally Pally until they kicked us out because the darts started. That was a pretty depressing few drinks. I asked for a refund at the gate but I haven't tried since. I'd love to get my money back from it. Nobody's been giving me any stick and people have been supportive."
Ben bought the sought-after ticket from a friend who couldn't make it and was excited to meet up with pals he knows from following England's football team. After being rejected he and another pal took the London Underground to Kings Cross and drank in a pub there for the rest of the night.
He spent the following day watching West Ham versus Liverpool and the London Stadium before heading home.
A spokesperson for the PDC said: "We can confirm that in line with our published terms and conditions regarding entry to the venue, a man was denied entry into the event for displaying messages relating to activist protests on December 19. The customer accepted the decision and left the venue and no communication has been received from them or anyone else relating to this matter."
