Darts: Bristow's conduct warning

ERIC BRISTOW, still the best- known name in the game though no longer among the leading players, received an official warning yesterday for bringing the game into disrepute during the Embassy World Professional Championships at Frimley Green.

After studying a video of Bristow's first-round victory over Per Skau, of Denmark, on Friday, officials of the British Darts Organisation confirmed that on at least three occasions Bristow, five times the world champion, had made 'offensive gestures' towards the Dane.

The BDO have warned Bristow, due to play his second-round match against another former world champion, Bob Anderson, this evening, that if he behaves badly again he will automatically lose a leg for a first offence, a set for a second offence and will be disqualified for a third breach of the rules.

Bristow's warning was made public so that all the players competing in the championship were aware of the penalties for bad behaviour.

Last year's beaten finalist, Mike Gregory, also negotiated the first round, beating Scotland's Jamie Harvey in straight sets hitting nine doubles in 22 attempts.