NEWPORT darts player Jonathan Worsley has removed from the fifth PDC Winter Series event following an altercation with Michael van Gerwen during which he pushed the Dutchman.

Worsley had been due to face Daryl Gurney in Round One, but was removed from the draw following the incident.

In a Facebook post, Worsley said that he had spilled a drink on his shirt on Wednesday, forcing him to quickly change.

He claims he then received a warning from the Tournament Director the following day for wearing a shirt which breached the tournament dress code.

He questioned the decision and claims that Van Gerwen approached him over the matter, attempting to “intimidate” him and allegedly calling him “a rat”.

Worsley’s statement on Facebook read: "I spilt a drink down my top, so I changed my shirt asap and rushed back to mark the board!

“On Thursday I got a b******ing off the tournament director for wearing a shirt we aren’t allowed to wear, so I apologised and that was that.

“Then MVG had to mark and he got someone to mark for him in jeans and a t- shirt.

“So I asked Keith the tournament director what the difference was you cant have one rule for him and another for me. This should have been kept between me and the tournament director.

“However today MVG comes to the table and starts giving me s*** asking why I reported him then starts calling me names and trying to intimidate me… Rat etc.

“I said “No Mike it wasnt aimed at you I just said it should be equal for all players”."

He said he then went for a cigarette, but was approached again by van Gerwen.

“He kept going so I pushed him," said Worsley.

“He reported me to the PDC bearing in mind the security knew full well he had been provoking me yet I get kicked out and he’s alright to play!

“How is that right?”

Worsley did pay tribute to the professionalism of the security personnel.

Van Gerwen suffered a Second Round exit on Saturday at the hands of Callan Rydz – who averaged 100.7 in a 6-4 victory.

In a separate Facebook post, Worsley had accused the PDC of being “one rule for one, another rule for another” while also using expletive language aimed directly at Van Gerwen, though the post was later deleted.

It is unclear yet as to whether either Worsley, Van Gerwen or both will face disciplinary action from the DRA.