BARNEY CRITICISED OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB WITH ANDERSON

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has been slammed by Vincent van der Voort after his awkward handshake snub with Gary Anderson at the World Grand Prix. 

Two-time world champ Anderson averaged 90.06 and fired in a stunning 115 checkout to beat ‘Barney’ 2-1 in their first-round clash in Leicester. 

The seven-time major winner celebrated by tossing his flights into the crowd, while Van Barneveld stayed at his table packing away his darts — keeping his back turned. 

By the time the Dutchman approached, Anderson was busy engaging with fans, leaving Van Barneveld to thank the officials before heading off stage. 

Former pro Van der Voort believes Van Barneveld is at fault for the entire incident.  

He said: “It’s Raymond’s fault, one hundred percent. Anderson throws out, walks to the board and back again. 

“But there Raymond stood at his table still packing his stuff and he didn’t look at anyone. He does that more often, which makes it look like Anderson is waiting. 

“Then he decided to just let Raymond wait his turn. 

“The principle of shaking hands is that as a loser you congratulate the winner. Of course, it’s not like you come asking for a hand as a winner to be congratulated. 

“Raymond is just supposed to walk right up to Anderson, give him a hand, shake the umpires’ hands, put his stuff away and walk off stage. That’s the principle.” 

Van der Voort said he understood Anderson’s decision not to hang around. 

He added: “He then stands there as a winner for half a minute. This stems from the fact that other players also know that Raymond does this more often. 

“They see that and are irritated by it as well. Anderson then thinks Raymond can also wait for him — but he doesn’t feel like it. 

“It doesn’t have to be so complicated. Anderson just doesn’t accept being made to wait so long. It’s all not that exciting, but it comes across badly.” 

World No. 34 Van Barneveld last reached a major semi-final at the 2022 Grand Slam and hasn’t made the Ally Pally quarter-finals for seven years. 

Van der Voort reckons the five-time world champ has lost some of the confidence that once made him unstoppable. 

He continued: “Before, it didn’t occur to him that he could lose if he got his prey. Now it’s an insecure person on stage — more hoping than really believing he can win. 

“He’s hardly won any matches at majors in the last two or three years, so it’s not surprising he’s insecure. 

“But he had the level to beat Anderson. It’s just a shame he fell short.”