Sporting enthusiasts have been rendered disgusted by the PDC’s decision to exclude ‘deserving’ players from this year’s Darts Premier League.
While the World Darts Championship always provides a magical few weeks of theatre, the Premier League is the competition that packs out the arenas. The tournament, which stretches over 17 venues from Manchester to Rotterdam, claims to showcase the greatest players from the year before.
But that hasn’t happened this on this occasion.
As is standard procedure, the world’s top-four ranked players, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, automatically received their spots. And after a first major victory on Sunday at the Masters, Chris Dobey rightfully got the call. But that’s when things got sticky.
Fans furious over Darts Premier League announcement
The PDC chose to back Nathan Aspinall and, controversially, Johnny Clayton and Dimitri Van Den Bergh despite relatively sub-standard years.
Consequently, despite winning major honours, Danny Noppert and Ross Smith were both unjustifiably left out. Clearly upset, the European Champion took to social media to express his concerns.
He tweeted: “As the reigning European Champion and the biggest 180-hitter in the world in the second half of 2022, I’m obviously absolutely gutted not to be included.
“But I respect the decision and wish all the players the very best for the event.”
In addition, former PDC Tour Card holder, Matt Edgar, couldn’t believe that the world’s fifth-ranked player failed to make the cut.
He wrote: “I’m very surprised no Luke Humphries, wowzers!!”
Furthermore, darts enthusiasts were rendered gutted that Barry Hearn failed to recognise the impact Rob Cross made throughout the year.
One fan posted: “Rob Cross has to be in there. ”He’s’Voltage’. He played very well at worlds and even better in The Masters.”
The Darts Premier League, which begins on March 2 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will undoubtedly draw in the crowds. But there’s no denying it’s kicking off with a massive asterisk.
Read: Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwen produce the greatest leg in Darts history – SPORF
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