Michael Van Gerwen Bar Brawl: Dutch Star Punched in Den Bosch

Michael van Gerwen bar brawl footage spread after the three-time world champion was punched in the face during a night out in Den Bosch on King's Day. The 37-year-old said the attack came from nowhere, and he has decided not to press charges.

Van Gerwen was talking with a man and a woman in a bar on Monday when the man suddenly hit him. Two security guards then stopped the 37-year-old from chasing the aggressor as the man was apprehended.

“That man had clearly had too much to drink and it felt to me like his anger came out of nowhere.” He added: “Just as he seemed to be heading for the exit, he suddenly lashed out.”

Den Bosch footage and security

The incident unfolded in public on a Dutch holiday, and the footage circulated online soon after. Van Gerwen later said the man apologized via Instagram, while his management said he did not provoke the situation and was not at fault.

“Of course, it's not right that I went after him. But that was an automatic reaction.” He also said, “That man clearly knows he was in the wrong because he apologised via Instagram.”

Van Gerwen returns in Aberdeen

By Thursday, Van Gerwen was back in Premier League action in Aberdeen, where Luke Humphries beat him in a quarter-final. The result gave him a quick return to the board after the Den Bosch confrontation, but the choice not to press charges leaves the bar incident closed on his side.

“We are aware of footage circulating of an incident involving Michael van Gerwen.” His management added: “He did not provoke the situation and was not at fault.”