Kim Huybrechts is understood to have suffered a double fracture of his collarbone after being attacked, following Antwerp's 1-0 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in Thursday's Belgian Cup final
Friday 10 May 2024 18:17, UK
Darts player Kim Huybrechts has had surgery on his throwing shoulder after being attacked after a football match in Belgium.
The former World Championship quarter-finalist was in Brussels to attend the Belgium Cup final between Antwerp, the club he supports, and Union Saint-Gilloise at the King Baudouin Stadium.
Huybrechts was travelling away from the ground after Antwerp's 1-0 defeat that he and a friend are understood to have been attacked by a group, according to Nieuwsblad, with the Belgian taken to hospital to assess his injuries before having surgery on Friday.
A Facebook post from Huybrechts' wife revealed he had been knocked to the ground after being hit with a motorcycle helmet, with the world No 33 also reportedly taking multiple kicks and punches before being able to get away to where the Antwerp buses were leaving.
X-rays revealed that Huybrechts suffered a double fracture of the collarbone in his throwing arm, which will leave the Belgian No 2 facing a considerable time away from competitive action.
A PDC spokesperson said: "Kim's management have confirmed that he was the victim of an attack after watching Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Cup final on Thursday evening.
"Kim suffered a broken collarbone and has undergone surgery on Friday. All at the PDC wish him a speedy recovery."
Huybrechts, who has appeared in every PDC World Championship since 2012, has regularly appeared in Players Championship tournaments on the PDC Pro Tour this season.
He is now a considerable doubt to be able to partner compatriot Dimitri Van der Bergh at the World Cup of Darts next month, live from June 27-30 on Sky Sports, while it will leave him little time to attempt to qualify for the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool the following month.
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