Belgium’s Mike De Decker has launched a sensational and scathing attack on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) following his omission from the field for the forthcoming Premier League, claiming Nathan Aspinall was “Only picked because of his walk-on song”…
In a jaw dropping interview with Belgian news website Het Neiwusblad, De Decker fumed “My first feeling immediately after the announcement was one of disbelief,” said De Decker. “The past 20 years, the Grand Prix winner was there every time. “Of course, I can’t change anything about it, the PDC is boss. But I think their decision, to be honest, is a bit scandalous.”
In a staggering rant, not only did he lambast the snubbing of himself, he tore strips off those he perceived as getting his berth in the Premier League. He went on: “They did not deserve it. Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there,” said De Decker.
“They say that you get into the Premier League based on results, but apparently that is not the case.
“Aspinall is there with his walk-on purely for the entertainment and if Price performs badly in the first few weeks, he will start complaining again.
“It just has to be fun for the audience, be clear about that. You now get a glorious exhibition tournament of 17 weeks, nothing more”
Responding to De Decker’s astonishing outburst, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter countered “We’ve seen players in the past, I don’t want to embarrass them by naming them, but players like Danny Noppert, Ross Smith and Andrew Gilding that have won TV tournaments.
“But you have to show that you can compete in the latter stages of TV tournaments on a regular basis.
“Doing it once is fantastic and is something that you will always have but to really be part of the elite, you have to be doing it on a regular basis over multiple years.” It’s very much back in the player’s hand – and interest – to step up to the oche and prove Porter wrong.
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