Michael Smith loses the decisive match at the European Tour Qualifier. The Englishman then lashes out at his opponent and also talks about his physical problems.
Former world champion Michael Smith let out his frustration after the defeat in the European Tour Qualifier against Mickey Mansell and complained about his opponent on social media.
Smith lost the decisive qualifying match for the Poland Darts Open against the Northern Irishman 3:6 in legs. Mansell’s slow play, in particular, really annoyed the “Bully Boy.”
Michael Smith has complained about his opponent Mickey Mansell
Smith rages: “Terrible player”
“Imagine doing something like that to win a game. Tinkerbell won’t come by and move your darts. No reason to stare at the board for 15 seconds. Terrible mentality. And terrible player,” Smith ranted on Facebook .
Out of anger – but also due to physical problems – Smith skipped the European Tour Qualifier for Göttingen on the same day. The 2023 PDC World Champion shared photos of his feet, showing his swollen ankle.
In August 2025, Smith had already revealed that he suffers from severe osteoarthritis – which often leads to swelling for the Englishman after international flights: “I just want to show what happens now when I travel and what the pressure on the plane does to me. I don’t want sympathy or anything. It’s just annoying because I put myself through this to play the sport I love, and it drives me crazy that I have to deal with tactics like this.”
Darts: Smith plummets in the world rankings
Smith further explained: “It shouldn’t bother me, but it does, because I wonder why I put myself through the pain and suffering to prioritize everything else over my health. That was Sunday night, shortly after landing. And now I undoubtedly have to deal with this for the rest of my life. And I know it will be bad again tomorrow when flying, for a few days, before it subsides again.”
Some time ago, Smith would have automatically qualified for the European Tour events. But after a difficult year 2025, plagued by injuries that led to worrying stage appearances, Smith slipped out of the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit.
Smith was not selected for the Premier League (all matches live on SPORT1 ) this year after his disappointing performances and early World Championship exit.