Coughing darts player slammed for 'despicable behaviour' booed, defeated at world championships

Darts player Justin Pipe has been slammed for coughing while his opponent was playing. Photo / Photosport

A darts player slammed for a 'despicable' lack of sportsmanship has been widely booed in his following match.

Justin Pipe had earlier defeated New Zealand thrower Bernie Smith 3-2 in their opening round clash at the PDC Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Pipe was seen to cough as Smith attempted a double 10 check-out to win the match while 2-1 up. He missed, and Pipe turned the game around to triumph.

His actions were criticised by former player and now pundit Wayne Mardle, who called for an official investigation.

Mardle said: 'It didn't look good, did it? Every time I see it I think, 'How desperate are you?' It looks absolutely despicable behaviour by a professional darts player.'

As a result of the drama, Pipe was booed loudly as he took on 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

Much to the crowd's delight, Taylor won four sets to nil to comfortably move through to the last 16 of the world darts championships in London.

Taylor said he felt bad for Pipe.

"I looked down at his wife and his son and I felt sorry for him, I did, I really did. Because they were here to support him and he's here to win the world championship the same as everyone else, it wasn't nice."

Justin Pipe is seen coughing in the background before Bernie Smith's attempts his crucial shot. Photo / Sky Sport

Pipe denied any accusations of foul play, saying he was 'bitterly disappointed' by Mardle's comments.

In an official statement released through the PDC, he said: 'I would never do something to put another player off and Bernie didn't say anything to me on the night. As far as I'm aware there is no issue from his side and this has been blown out of all proportion.