VIDEO: Sheffield universities' darts derby cancelled after 'drunken' fights break out in crowd

A Sheffield universities darts derby had to be cancelled midway through last night's varsity event, after a series of fights broke out between people in the crowd.
Dartsity 2017 had to be cancelled midway through last night's event, after fights broke out between people in the crowd.Dartsity 2017 had to be cancelled midway through last night's event, after fights broke out between people in the crowd.
Dartsity 2017 had to be cancelled midway through last night's event, after fights broke out between people in the crowd.

South Yorkshire Police were reportedly called to the Octagon Centre in Clarkson Street just before 10pm last night, to reports of fighting taking place between people in the crowd at the 2017 Sheffield Dartsity event.

A total of eight matches were scheduled to be played between competitors from the University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield Hallam University as part of Dartsity, but the event had to be cancelled during the sixth match as a result of the disturbance.

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A UoS student in the crowd when the fighting broke out, says the booze-fueled scrapping mainly seemed to be between students from UoS and students from Sheffield Hallam University.

"People were just too drunk and started throwing pints at each other and escalated very quickly," said the student, who wishes to remain anonymous.

They added: " As soon as one fight started between Uni of and Hallam students loads more happened.

"The event had to be cancelled because of the fighting. Chairs were thrown and punches were thrown. The police were called.

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"It really was a shame that it happened, because it was a top event before it kicked off.

"The union handled it really well, it wasn't their fault - purely a minority of drunken idiots who ruined it."

UoS were enjoying a 4-1 lead when the fighting broke out.

Forge Sport, who were reporting on the event via Twitter for the University of Sheffield's Forge Press, shared a series of Tweets detailing the escalating situation at the Octagon.

They wrote: "Stop fighting in the crowd you pathetic tiny people," followed by: "Play has been suspended in favour of unintelligible shouting from both sides."

At 9.39pm Forge Sport confirmed Dartsity had been cancelled, and Tweeted: "Dartsity: Cancelled. Well done people"

South Yorkshire Police have been contacted for more information.