Croatian darts star forced to apologise amid walk-out song row with former world champion after his Eurovision hit first choice was rejected by the PDC
There was controversy in the PDC World Championship on Thursday evening when a debutant was accused of stealing a walk-on song from the legendary Raymond van Barneveld.
Croatian star Romeo Grbavac was making his first appearance at Alexandra Palace against Callan Rydz and savoured in the festive chaos of the occasion while preparing his walk to the oche.
Players typically claim a walk-on song as their own with it regarded as unsportsmanlike to use another star’s tune and eyebrows were raised when iconic tune ‘Eye of the Tiger’ began to ring out.
The anthem is most well-known in the darts world for being the song of choice that former PDC world champion Van Barneveld walks out to.
However, It has now emerged that Grbavac never intended to use the tune and had initially approached the PDC wanting to play a popular Croatian song.
Grbavac wanted to use the Eurovision hit ‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’ by Baby Lasagna but was blocked from doing so by the PDC who intervene on such matters.
Croatian star Romeo Grbavac was making his first appearance at Alexandra Palace when he walked out to a well-known song
Grbavac walked out to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ which is the anthem typically used by Raymond van Barneveld
It has now emerged that Grbavac never intended to use the tune and had initially approached the PDC wanting to play a popular Croatian song
The organisation decided that there was a risk of fans getting bored by the music while there may also have been a copyrights issue that they were keen to avoid.
‘Eye of the Tiger’ was then played as a replacement song instead with Van Barneveld questioning the moment on X where he posted a cryptic tweet.
While the match was ongoing, Van Barneveld tweeted a puzzled emoji alongside the word ‘erm’ and emojis referencing the famous song by Survivor.
However, rather than hit back, Grbavac instead apologised to Van Barneveld for the error with the Dutchman revealing he had been sent a private message by the 30-year-old.
Grbavac went on to lose the match 3-0 but still appeared in good spirits as he messaged Van Barneveld stating: ‘Hello Barney, this song wasn’t my choice and I don’t know why they played’.
Van Bareneveld later revealed he had been sent an apology by Grbavac on social media
Van Barneveld saw the funny side in the situation and revealed the situation had been resolved
Fortunately, Van Barneveld saw the funny side in the matter and ensured the matter was water under the bridge by posting another update, stating: ‘Ok all is forgiven pal’ alongside a laughing and thumbs up emoji.
Meanwhile, supporters will be able to see Van Barneveld walk out to his song in the flesh on Saturday when he plays Nick Kenny.
