Premier League of Darts: Mike De Decker blasts PDC after Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price picked ahead of him
Luke Littler is back in action following his historic World Darts Championship win as he headlines the Bahrain Darts Masters field; Luke Humphries and Peter Wright among the eight PDC representatives, with Michael van Gerwen missing out due to family commitments
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:15, UK
Reigning Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker has hit out at the PDC after his omission from the Premier League of Darts - and taken a swipe at two stars who were preferred to him.
The Belgian branded the decision "scandalous", as he became the first Grand Prix champion not to feature in the Premier League line-up in two decades.
De Decker believes that he should have made the eight-player shortlist for the tournament ahead of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price.
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"My first feeling immediately after the announcement was one of disbelief," said De Decker, speaking to Het Nieuwsblad. "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."
De Decker pointed to the "world-class match" he played against Luke Littler at the Grand Slam of Darts as well as the fact he won a couple of tournaments last year, as evidence he deserved inclusion.
The Belgian also believes that Aspinall, in particular, gets preferential treatment due to his popular walk-on song - 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers - and criticised Price for his tendency to blame other factors when things aren't going the Welshman's way.
"They did not deserve it. Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there," said De Decker.
"After my Grand Prix victory, I said that I might not be ready, and I don't regret that. But afterwards, I confirmed at other tournaments that I can compete with the world's best.
"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.
'The Real Deal' added: "I also have a good walk-on. At almost every tournament these days they sing along to my song. Everyone loved it at the World Cup too."
PDC chief executive Matt Porter explained that De Decker has still to demonstrate enough consistency to be considered worthy of a Premier League place.
Porter explained: "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."
