The Belgian darts star returns to Ally Pally this week a year on from the traumatic attack that left him with a double shoulder fracture
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
17:00, 11 Dec 2025
The Belgian darts star was at the centre of football brawl(Image: James Fearn/Getty Images)
Kim Huybrechts makes his return to the World Darts Championship on Thursday night, facing Arno Merk in the opening round.
The Belgian darts star will be hoping the Ally Pally faithful rally behind him as he graces the famous venue a year after enduring a horrific assault following a football match. Huybrechts required surgical intervention for a fractured shoulder in May 2024 after attending a cup final clash in Belgium between Royal Antwerp and Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Hurricane supports Antwerp and was heading home after watching his team suffer a 1-0 loss in the Belgian Cup at the King Baudouin Stadium. But Huybrechts and a friend were set upon by opposing fans whilst travelling through Brussels.
According to the dart player’s wife, Dana Verhaegen, mate Kevin was struck with a motorbike helmet whilst Huybrechts was brought down as he attempted to flee.
The 40-year-old was punched and kicked before eventually reaching the Antwerp supporters’ coaches, where assistance was available.
Kim Huybrechts was beaten up by rival football fans(Image: X/@VVGenechten2)
The world No. 53 was taken to hospital where scans revealed a double fracture in his right shoulder – particularly concerning given it was his throwing arm.
Huybrechts’ wife posted on social media at the time to keep supporters informed, as she said: “As many have already heard, things went seriously wrong today during the cup final.
“In a nutshell: Match end, Antwerp supporters walking along a path through a park in a crowd towards the buses. The line gets stuck due to the grim atmosphere.
“Kim and Kevin want to pass the line through an opening in the fence to get to the buses faster and are attacked from behind. Verdict: while Kim lay on the ground and took punches, he suffered a double fracture of the collarbone, unfortunately in his right arm.”
Kim Huybrechts suffered a double fracture of the shoulder(Image: Facebook)
Following the incident, fans were concerned that Huybrechts might not be fit to participate in the World Cup of Darts scheduled for June that year.
However, the Belgian darts player made a strong recovery, reaching the semi-finals alongside Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Huybrechts also competed in the World Darts Championship, but was knocked out in the first round by Keane Barry with a score of 3-1.
Now, ‘The Hurricane’ is set to face Arno Merk, aiming to surpass his previous best performance and go beyond the quarter-finals of the World Championship.
